GUARDED Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

guarded 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgär-dəd

Definition of guarded

as in wary

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble a guarded man who knew better than to reveal such delicate information guarded actions

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guarded

2 of 2

verb

past tense of guard

as in protected

to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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as in blockaded

to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of guarded

Adjective

When that happens, people become more guarded, less open and less willing to engage. — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Our spirits remain guarded, but high, for this one; the Venice Film Festival crowd seemed to eat it up. — Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024

Verb

The migrants retreated to a pier where they were guarded by police. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 That could come in handy for Andrews compared with Graham, who has been mostly guarded throughout the Republican primary races. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded

Adjective

The decision suggests the companies believe that foreign investors remain wary of putting new money into the kingdom’s stock exchange, and will likely put off other firms planning IPOs in the short term.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Koreans are wary of methods to turn housing wealth into cash.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of wary

Verb

The city of Wickhills is protected by Seaborne, an intelligence agency that hires street-smart types like Vycol Ferec on top-secret missions.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nine out of ten people who come in close contact with someone who is infected will become ill if they are not protected, especially by vaccination.

— Eva Flowe August 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of protected

Verb

Iran’s proxies in the region, the Houthis, have since blockaded another strait – the Bab-al-Mandeb – challenging Saudi Arabia’s ability to export oil through that alternate route.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
During the early nineteen-eighties, when Paul Volcker, the chair of the Federal Reserve, raised interest rates to twenty per cent in the face of rampant inflation, furious farmers blockaded the Fed’s headquarters with their tractors.

— John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of blockaded

Adjective

Florida’s Republican gubernatorial ticket is defying historic trends for a political party traditionally known for elevating white men to leadership positions — even as the GOP remains cautious about drawing attention to the shift.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cautious

Verb

The 48-year-old just fiercely defended him in a lengthy statement to UsWeekly.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, telling CNN in a statement that those deported received due process and had final orders of removal.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of defended

Verb

Sacramento police said investigators were working to detain a suspect barricaded inside a residence with a possible firearm on Tuesday night.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
As a woman inside walked out to agents in the garage, prosecutors say Dowen barricaded himself upstairs and weighed his options.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of barricaded

Verb

In theory, the paper maintains its independence through a 1994 congressional framework and First Amendment protections safeguarded by Congress.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Longtime Webb producer Fred Mollin, who safeguarded the compositions for years, helped bring them back into the light.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 14 Aug. 2026