unguarded

American  

[uhn-gahr-did] / ʌnˈgɑr dɪd /

adjective

1. not guarded; unprotected; undefended.

   Synonyms:

   defenseless

2. open; frank; guileless.

   an unguarded manner.

3. exposed to attack or capture by the opponent without recourse by the player, as a card, chess piece, etc..

   an unguarded queen of clubs; an unguarded pawn.

4. not cautious or discreet; careless.

   In an unguarded moment he had told her about his affair.

   Synonyms:

   indiscreet

5. without a safeguard, as a cover, barrier, or shield, for protection.

   an unguarded buzz saw.

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unguarded British  

/ ʌnˈɡɑːdɪd /

adjective

1. unprotected; vulnerable

2. guileless; open; frank

3. incautious or careless

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Other Word Forms

• unguardedly adverb
• unguardedness noun

Etymology

Origin of unguarded

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + guarded

Example Sentences

However, Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko struck in quick succession in the third period to ensure Finland ended their campaign on the podium, with Joel Armia and Haula scoring late into an unguarded goal.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

It blamed the chaos on SDF troops, who it says abandoned the camp during the January offensive, leaving the facility unguarded for hours and making it hard to reimpose security.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The theft is thought to have taken place after the driver for a civilian transport company - contracted by the military - left his truck in an unguarded parking lot overnight on 25 November.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

The stroke seems to have stripped away some of his old formality, leaving him more open, unguarded, even amused by his own lapses.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

While he might trust her enough to leave her alone with Dorian, knowing that she had access to an unguarded escape route was a test she wasn’t ready to give Chaol.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Related Words

• candid
• indiscreet
• offhand
• spontaneous