guarded.

Careful not to reveal thoughts, feelings, or information that might expose one to harm or disadvantage.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a guarded reply
• a guarded manner
• guarded about personal details

On the page

Her guarded reply gave the stranger nothing he could use.

Fear of retaliation made him guarded about the meeting.

He remained guarded until she explained who else would read the statement.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. Behavioral restraint rather than an emotion; can express prudence or secrecy without fear. Distinct from physically guarded by someone. Gradable with more/most; no inflectional endings normally needed. Derived family (not additional inflections or records): guardedness.