guardedguard‧ed /ˈɡɑːdɪd $ ˈɡɑːr-/ adjective 
The minister was quite guarded in his comments. He gave the proposal a guarded welcome.—guardedly adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Baker spoke about the project with guarded enthusiasm.
- Michael Fallon, MP for Darlington, has given the scheme a guarded welcome.
- Their message was expressed in very guarded language.
- He knew that the routine and itinerary of the Chairman were a closely guarded secret.
- His reaction was a very guarded welcome.
- In one poem William Ix said that a closely guarded married woman was as bad a prospect as a millpond without fish.
- It was not the falcon's nesting site, John wisely keeps all such eyries a closely guarded secret.
- Strangers were rarely seen on that private and closely guarded property.
- The faces hold you: guarded, apprehensive, expectant, confident, resolute.
Longman Language Activatorcareful about what you say to other people
: careful what/how etc · You have to be careful what you say to her, she's very easily offended.· They were both aware that there might be listening devices in the room, and she wanted to be careful what she said.careful (not) to do something · "Failing your exams isn't the end of the world,'' said Kay's mother, careful not to sound disappointed.· She is careful not to criticize the president, but makes it clear that she thinks the government's policies should be far more radical.
careful not to do or say anything that will hurt or embarrass other people: · I wish you'd be more tactful - didn't you realize she was divorced?tactful about: · My parents tried to be tactful about my new boyfriend, but I knew they didn't like him.
if you make a guarded statement, remark etc you are careful not to let other people know much about your thoughts or intentions: · Michael Fallon, MP for Darlington, has given the scheme a guarded welcome.· Their message was expressed in very guarded language.
formal very careful about what you say or do, so that you do not make people feel angry, upset, or embarrassed: · A private detective was sent to make discreet inquiries about Miss Hutton's financial situation.· People might gossip if we arrived together. It would be much more discreet for us to go there separately.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Political activity is closely controlled. Details of the program are a closely-guarded secret. a jealously guarded secret
not giving very much information or showing your feelings about something SYN cautious: Political activity is closely controlled. Details of the program are a closely-guarded secret. a jealously guarded secret (=the belief that a future situation will be good or better than before, although you cannot be not sure)· The U.N. sees cause for cautious optimism in what has been achieved so far.· He expressed guarded optimism about the company's future.
(=a secret that few people are allowed to know)· The recipe is a closely-guarded secret.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· He knew that the routine and itinerary of the Chairman were a closely guarded secret.· Today the locations of many rare or endangered species are closely guarded secrets.· It was not the falcon's nesting site, John wisely keeps all such eyries a closely guarded secret.· The level of marks required for entrance to secondary school is a very closely guarded secret and seldom officially revealed.· In one poem William Ix said that a closely guarded married woman was as bad a prospect as a millpond without fish.· Lifestyles copied from Miami and Fifth Avenue are enjoyed in closely guarded compounds well away from the misery of the slums.· Compiling and using a press list Many organizations have press lists, which they keep as closely guarded secrets.· The companies that administer the warehouses keep details of their contents a closely guarded secret.
· But universities have a considerable and jealously guarded degree of independence.· The river is a jealously guarded preserve and very expensive.
The minister was quite guarded in his comments. He gave the proposal a guarded welcome.—guardedly adverb