unguard
Leave oneself open
To unguard is to remove protection or defense from something, leaving it exposed or vulnerable.
The word appears rarely, mostly in contexts where someone deliberately lowers their defenses: She unguarded her heart for the first time in years.
In chess or strategy games, to unguard a piece is to move its defender away, leaving it open to capture.
Failing in due care
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- inattentiveNot paying attention
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
indiscreet · lax · thoughtless · irresponsible · incautious · remiss · unwary · unmindful
Without means to resist
- unshieldedLacking protective barrier
- unfortifiedLacking military defenses
- unarmedHaving no weapons
- helplessUnable to act independently
undefended · uncovered · exposed · susceptible · assailable · unprotected · unpatrolled · unwatched
negligent
Failing in due care
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- inattentiveNot paying attention
- heedlessCareless of consequences
imprudent · indiscreet · lax · thoughtless · irresponsible · incautious · remiss · unwary · unmindful · unvigilant
defenseless
Without means to resist
- unshieldedLacking protective barrier
- unfortifiedLacking military defenses
- unarmedHaving no weapons
helpless · undefended · uncovered · exposed · susceptible · assailable · unprotected · unpatrolled · unwatched · unmanned
reveal
Make something visible
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
waylay · bushwhack · sucker-punch · pounce · trap