guarded

American  

[gahr-did] / ˈgɑr dɪd /

adjective

1. cautious; careful; prudent.

   to be guarded in one's speech.

   Synonyms:

   vigilant, circumspect, chary, watchful, wary

2. protected, watched, or restrained, as by a guard.

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guarded British  

/ ˈɡɑːdɪd /

adjective

1. protected or kept under surveillance

2. prudent, restrained, or noncommittal

   a guarded reply

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Other Word Forms

• guardedly adverb
• guardedness noun
• self-guarded adjective
• well-guarded adjective

Etymology

Origin of guarded

First recorded in 1500–10; guard + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Chokepoints on the military’s mobility map are among the most closely guarded secrets of the blueprint.

From The Wall Street Journal

Information their clients take for granted in public markets, including what investments perform best or the makeup of common indexes, can be guarded as closely as state secrets.

From The Wall Street Journal

“My own favorite,” Buddy tells us, “was a cold banana pudding—a guarded recipe of the ancient aunt” who took her secret to the grave.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I went in to 80 Centre St. skeptical and guarded,” Cohen said in an interview with the Times, referring to the building where the Major Economic Crimes Bureau is.

From Seattle Times

For the 100 days after her surgery, Isola will be carefully guarded and monitored.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• cautious
• circumspect
• reserved
• restrained