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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Verb

In May 2013, the Met returned the aforementioned kneeling figures that had long guarded its Southeast Asian art wing. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 Since the facility opened, the state and federal agencies have guarded information about the detention center, including who operated the site and its cost, and have repeatedly refusing to disclose the number of immigrants being held there. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026 Dua Lipa married actor Callum Turner on Saturday, June 6 in Sicily, Italy, a ceremony that was closely guarded from onlookers and paparazzi. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 20 June 2026 While ProPublica and other outlets have previously reported on the existence of Chinese investors in SpaceX, the identities of most of the rocket company’s investors have been closely guarded. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guarded

Adjective

But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of wary

Verb

By then Tanacharison is telling Washington that he is mystically protected, in the mode of certain Indigenous warriors who were placed on earth to be leaders.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Steinbaugh argued the email was protected speech under the First Amendment and does not represent a legitimate threat.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of protected

Verb

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for the region’s oil and gas, was effectively blockaded since the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran in late February.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 June 2026
Meanwhile, Lord Corlys Velaryon and his fleet have the city blockaded, while Team Black commands from Dragonstone and Daemon battles in the Riverlands and Aemond broods on the throne, which he’s taken from his maimed brother.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Definition of blockaded

Adjective

Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.

— Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Verb

Miki Sudo defended her title as well in the women’s division.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
From the get-go, Les Bleus – including, at one point, the entire squad except for goalkeeper Mike Maignan – were in the Paraguay half, searching for an opener as La Albirroja defended valiantly.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of defended

Verb

Some of those properties may now be serving as locations where hidden assets are being safeguarded.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Regarding Jersey Mike's, the complaint says the chain should have safeguarded the sandwich in a sanitary and tamper-resistant manner.

— Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Definition of safeguarded

Cite this Entry

Style

“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guarded. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of guarded

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on guarded

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes