adj
Uncommon
guarded
GAH-dihd
Guarded (adj) means Careful and reluctant to reveal much; cautious in speech or manner. Example: “He gave a guarded response when asked about the merger.”
adj
1
Careful and reluctant to reveal much; cautious in speech or manner.
"He gave a guarded response when asked about the merger."
"She remained guarded around new colleagues at first."
"Her guarded smile suggested she did not fully trust the stranger yet."
2
(of a patient's condition) Likely to improve but still uncertain, requiring close monitoring.
"The hospital listed his condition as guarded but stable."
"Doctors described the patient's condition as guarded after the operation."
"Although she is awake, her condition remains guarded and nurses check on her hourly."
How to use guarded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCautious and not fully open — holding something back.
Common pairings
a guarded reply
guarded optimism
guarded condition
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more guarded
- Superlative
- most guarded
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He gave a _____ response when asked about the merger.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for guarded
See all rhymes for guarded →Frequently asked questions
What does “guarded” mean?
The word “guarded” means careful and reluctant to reveal much; cautious in speech or manner. In plain terms, cautious and not fully open — holding something back.
How do you pronounce “guarded”?
“Guarded” is pronounced GAH-dihd (/ˈɡɑɹdɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “guarded” in a sentence?
Here is “guarded” used in a sentence: “He gave a guarded response when asked about the merger.”
What part of speech is “guarded”?
“Guarded” is an adjective.
Is “guarded” a common word?
“Guarded” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “guarded” have?
“Guarded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: careful and reluctant to reveal much; cautious in speech or manner.
What is the difference between "guarded" and "reserved"?
"Guarded" describes someone who is careful and reluctant to reveal much, often deliberately holding back information out of caution or suspicion. "Reserved" describes a more general personality trait of being quiet or restrained in expressing emotions, without necessarily implying wariness.
What does "guarded" mean when describing a patient's condition?
When used medically, "guarded" describes a patient's condition as likely to improve but still uncertain, requiring close monitoring. This is more cautious than "stable" but less severe than "critical."
What is the difference between a "guarded" response and a "defensive" response?
A "guarded" response is careful and withholds information out of caution, while a "defensive" response actively protects against perceived criticism or attack, often with a noticeably protective or combative tone. Guarded suggests caution; defensive suggests active self-protection.
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