guarded

1 of 2

adjective

guard·​ed ˈgär-dəd How to pronounce guarded (audio)
Synonyms of guardednext
1
: cautious, circumspect
a guarded response
2
: being an extremely serious condition with uncertain outcome
was in guarded condition after the crash
guardedly adverb
guardedness noun

guarded

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of guard entry 2

Synonyms of guarded

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Adjective

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Examples of guarded in a Sentence

Adjective a guarded man who knew better than to reveal such delicate information
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 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 Jennifer Kale is a witch who is very guarded and needs to learn how to trust people, and keeps getting tested on that over and over again throughout the show. — Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for guarded

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guarded was in 1709

Rhymes for guarded

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Browse Nearby Words

guard dog
guarded
guardee
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Cite this Entry

“Guarded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guarded. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

guarded

adjective
guard·​ed ˈgärd-əd How to pronounce guarded (audio)
: cautious, noncommittal
a guarded answer
guardedly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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