GUARDEDNESS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

guardedness

noun

as in carefulness

a close attentiveness to avoiding danger you should have shown a little more guardedness about sharing personal information with someone you just met online

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 guardedness The guardedness is understandable, as the threat of poaching is still everywhere. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Behind closed doors, however, the switch from a spouse to a child, from Mann the husband to Mann the father, is the switch from the intimate to the casual, from uninhibited speech to guardedness. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2026 What stayed with the character was that guardedness, that way of seeing the world, the mistrust. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 Thankfully, her guardedness with the public hasn’t prevented her from being warm and open in person. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Nov. 2025 Making guardedness and affable self-deprecation part of her identity, Keaton was known for wearing turtlenecks, gloves, and hats that kept her largely covered up, saving emotional vulnerability for her performances. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2025 At this point, arguments become a predictable mix of hostility, guardedness and mockery. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for guardedness

Noun

This carefulness is clearly strategic.

— Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
There was no carefulness in it.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Definition of carefulness

Noun

Chemical peels This caution about many skin-care acids extends to chemical peels, which are usually made from a combination of acids in high concentrations.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Oct. 2026
Given the Muse success, one of our causes for caution coming into the print was the related increase in costs needed to get the AI agent to full ramp.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of caution

Noun

Those figures largely predate the state’s move to universal free child care, which began in November 2025 and is funded by an oil and gas windfall.

— Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
In a bucket hat and without a care in the world, Murray speaks kindly but candidly about making his buddy Coyne’s TV dream come true.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of care

Noun

The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen’s long-running conflict.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of wariness

Browse Nearby Words

guardedly

guardedness

guardhouse

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Guardedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guardedness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of guardedness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes