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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protected
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2022
After his relationship with Jan (Amy Ryan) ended dramatically, Charles (Steve Martin) is even more guarded with his heart in season two.
—Emma Fraser and Sophie Brookover, Town & Country, 21 Dec. 2022
Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Taiwan’s western coastline, facing the Chinese mainland, has relatively few beaches or ports where landing is easy, and those areas are relatively well guarded.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Adjective
You’re very guarded.
—Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2022
After his relationship with Jan (Amy Ryan) ended dramatically, Charles (Steve Martin) is even more guarded with his heart in season two.
—Emma Fraser and Sophie Brookover, Town & Country, 21 Dec. 2022
Verb
The docks and logistics areas, which are managed by the Maltese Federation of Aquaculture Producers, are as tightly guarded as a military zone.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Taiwan’s western coastline, facing the Chinese mainland, has relatively few beaches or ports where landing is easy, and those areas are relatively well guarded.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guarded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded
Adjective
-
The pattern has left Iranians wary that any sign of instability is met with brutal suppression.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2025
-
Does the entertainment industry have a right to be wary of AI at this stage?—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Just as Warner Bros had given Jane’s true creative freedom, from their recording sessions to making their own videos, American facilitated and protected Deconstruction’s art.—
Aaron Gilbreath,
SPIN,
31 Dec. 2024
-
But the ecosystem is far from protected, and there are now more than 750 million devices vulnerable to attack.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Just a few months prior, Blackbeard and his small pirate flotilla had blockaded Charleston, South Carolina, for close to a week.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Nov. 2024
-
Military vehicles and local and state police blockaded the route into the town center.—
Jessica Pishko,
The New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who often spoke off the cuff, Leo is more cautious and speaks from a prepared text.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
-
Be extra cautious if recreating with sparks or flame.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
This rivalry continued into Survivor Series 2012, where Punk defended his title in a triple threat match against Ryback and John Cena.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
-
That’s how the Chiefs defended slot receivers last year.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Students and their allies barricaded themselves inside the hall with furniture and padlocks in a major escalation of campus protests.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Rosa Woods eventually barricaded herself in the bathroom and called her son, according to court documents.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 June 2025
-
This decision reflects careful consideration and was made in light of today’s challenging financial environment.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
There’s nothing wrong with using technology to meet immediate emotional needs, but leaders should stay alert to the longer-term tradeoff.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
The advisory ranks Italy at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, which recommends travelers stay alert to possibly heightened risk.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarded. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share