fiercely guarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fiercely guarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is protected or kept secret with great intensity or passion. Example: "The company's trade secrets are fiercely guarded to maintain their competitive edge in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The anonymity of neoliberalism is fiercely guarded.

The Guardian - Books

National frontiers were fiercely guarded by soldiers and customs men.

The Economist

In fact, most of those borders are fiercely guarded.

The Economist

Until the age of ninety she fiercely guarded her independence.

The New York Times

With show time approaching, the Dylan fans fiercely guarded their patches.

Independent

But change is incremental in a town whose culture is fiercely guarded.

The New York Times

The design and designer have been kept a fiercely guarded secret.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He and his Dolphins teammates have fiercely guarded their undefeated legacy.

The New York Times - Sports

Vicki Kennedy fiercely guarded her husband's privacy, but Mr. Kennedy's illness had an undeniably public component.

The New York Times

He emphasized that townships could work together without compromising dearly held and fiercely guarded home rule.

The New York Times

"Russian Roulette" also sheds more light on Steele's sources — whose identities he has fiercely guarded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fiercely guarded", consider the specific connotation you want to convey. It's effective when you want to emphasize the intensity, passion, or determination involved in protecting something, whether it's a secret, a tradition, or a physical space.

Common error

Avoid using "fiercely guarded" to describe ordinary protection measures. Reserve it for situations where the level of protection is exceptionally high or emotionally charged. For example, saying "the office supplies were fiercely guarded" is inappropriate unless there's a compelling reason for such intense protection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fiercely guarded" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adverb ("fiercely") modifying a past participle ("guarded"). Ludwig's examples showcase it describing the state of being intensely protected or defended. It often emphasizes the high degree of effort or emotion involved in the protection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fiercely guarded" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the intensity and determination behind the protection of something. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in the News & Media. Ludwig AI highlights that "fiercely guarded" is usable in written English. While it can be used in a variety of contexts, it is essential to reserve it for situations where the level of protection is exceptionally high or emotionally charged, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Alternatives like "heavily protected" or "closely watched" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavily protected

Focuses on the strength of the protection rather than the intensity of guarding.

jealously guarded

Suggests possessiveness and a reluctance to share what is being protected.

zealously protected

Highlights the enthusiasm and passion involved in protecting something.

strictly safeguarded

Focuses on the enforcement of rules to ensure protection.

vigilantly protected

Emphasizes alertness and readiness to defend.

closely watched

Emphasizes surveillance as a means of protection.

resolutely defended

Highlights the determination and unwavering stance in defending.

carefully defended

Highlights the active effort to prevent something from being taken or harmed.

assiduously protected

Emphasizes diligent and persistent effort in maintaining protection.

intensely shielded

Focuses on creating a barrier to protect something.

FAQs

How can I use "fiercely guarded" in a sentence?

You can use "fiercely guarded" to describe something that is protected or kept secret with great intensity or passion. For example: "The company's trade secrets are "fiercely guarded" to maintain their competitive edge in the market."

What are some alternatives to "fiercely guarded"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "heavily protected", "closely watched", or "strictly safeguarded".

Is "fiercely guarded" formal or informal?

"Fiercely guarded" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter and the desired tone. It's generally suitable for situations where you want to emphasize the intensity of the protection.

What does it mean when something is described as "fiercely guarded"?

When something is described as "fiercely guarded", it means that it is protected or kept secret with great intensity, determination, and passion. It suggests that significant effort and resources are dedicated to preventing access or harm.