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unguarded

unguarded

8 5.1
Not careful about what you say or do, so you reveal more than you want
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈɡɑrdɪd/
translation icon : descuidado
  • In an unguarded moment, she revealed her deepest fears to her friend.
  • an unguarded moment
  • an unguarded expression
  • unguarded thoughts

The bright flashing lights, loud music, the loud unguarded talking.

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Examples

  • E-mails revealed Microsoft chairman Bill Gates' unguarded opinion on Netscape.

    Academic text (2002)
  • And for one unguarded moment, You let me know you needed me.

  • We would share our feelings, unguarded, because we were with women who care, listen, and support.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Yet in a recent, unguarded moment, he said it was my influence that made Molly so bold.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Lydia seems quite willing to take him in hand and calm his warm, unguarded temper.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • In unguarded moments, sometimes I sat and, without any visible reason, silently began to laugh.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Conversation around him had been plentiful and unguarded, and he listened attentively.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • For the first time during the interview, she saw an unguarded emotion—surprise, perhaps even disbelief—animate his face.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Tremaine cupped the statue in both hands, his gaze trained on it with unguarded admiration.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Our glances snagged again, and this time his dark eyes were unguarded—stripped bare of all formality, abloom with unspoken emotion.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

defenseless
vsunguarded
  • US
77 3.5

Without protection and easy to hurt

focuses on lacking capacity to resist harm while the other adds inattention
off guard
vsunguarded
51 4.2

Not ready or paying attention when something happens

is about temporary surprise while the other also involves vulnerability
unprotected
vsunguarded
28 2.9

Not safe from harm

is broader including both lack of protection and careless inattention
unwary
vsunguarded
6 6.1

A person who is not careful about danger and is easily tricked

also implies physical vulnerability and lack of protection beyond being careless
unsecured
vsunguarded
4 5.3

Not made safe, for example items not fastened or a computer without a password

is about physical safety measures while the other covers attention too
undefended
vsunguarded
3 6.0

Not protected from attack or criticism

is about lacking protection directly rather than merely being inattentive
off-guard
vsunguarded
3 4.9

Not ready or alert when something surprises you

describes temporary unpreparedness while the other also lacks defense
unshielded
vsunguarded
  • Specialized
1 6.6

Not covered or protected, for example a wire without a metal case

is specific to coverings while the other is a general lack of care or defense
uncareful
vsunguarded
1 5.7

Someone who does not pay attention and often causes mistakes or harm

also involves missing protection or defense beyond mere inattention
exposed
vsunguarded
1 3.4

Not protected from danger or bad weather

means physically open to harm while the other may also mean careless
unwatchful
vsunguarded
7.3

Not paying attention makes you miss danger or problems

covers lack of watchfulness and additionally missing protection or defense
unvigilant
vsunguarded
8.7

Not watching carefully for danger or problems

also includes absence of physical protection or defense from harm
unapprehensive
vsunguarded
9.5

Not aware of danger or risk

also covers missing protection or defense not only slow recognition
off one's guard
vsunguarded
6.6

Not paying attention and not ready for danger or surprise

is similar but also signals lack of protection or defense besides inattention
off (one's) guard
vsunguarded
5.8

Not paying attention and not ready for surprise or danger

the main sense also implies missing protection or defense
off your guard
vsunguarded
7.2

Not ready and not paying attention when something surprises you

also applies to being exposed without protection rather than only inattentive
guardless
vsunguarded
7.9

Not protected and open to danger

refers more to absence of a person protecting than to carelessness

Antonyms

210 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

1 2.0

Kept safe from harm or danger

4.9

Careful about showing feelings or strong opinions to avoid saying too much

How Guarded

vigilant
66 6.0
guarded
4.9
cautious
210 2.9
unguarded
8 5.1
careless
14 1.0
reckless
193 3.6

Surface Forms

unguarded positive
unguarded comparative
unguarded superlative

Morphology

unguarded = guarded (transparent) = un + guard + ed

The meaning is directly derived from the adjective 'guarded' with the prefix 'un-' indicating negation.

Etymology

Unguarded combines un- 'not' and guard 'to watch or protect', like in bodyguard. So an unguarded comment is one said when you are 'not watching' your words — careless and open to trouble.