wary

adjective

ˈwer-ē How to pronounce wary (audio)
Definition of warynext
as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble kept a wary eye out for signs of the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective wary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wary are cautious, chary, and circumspect. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

When would cautious be a good substitute for wary?

The meanings of cautious and wary largely overlap; however, cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When might chary be a better fit than wary?

While in some cases nearly identical to wary, chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

In what contexts can circumspect take the place of wary?

In some situations, the words circumspect and wary are roughly equivalent. However, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wary Downtown is now open and welcoming to visitors, but Downey said many residents remain wary of disaster tourists. —Lila Hempel-Edgers july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025 While Gartner reports that 58% of financial professionals already use AI tools—with growing adoption for forecasting and analytics—many remain wary. —Nosa Omoigui, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Kenya’s neighbours stand to attract investors who are increasingly wary of the political volatility that has gripped East Africa’s biggest economy. —Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 16 July 2025 Be wary of anyone who claims to be an insurance specialist that is not from your insurance company or was not sent by your insurance company. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for wary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wary
  1. cautious
  2. careful
  3. alert
Adjective
  • Be cautious using public Wi-Fi Avoid logging into accounts on public Wi-Fi or always use a VPN.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • No, things aren’t all roses, but at least some cautious optimism is in order.
    — Bruce Yandle, Boston Herald, 18 July 2025
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • The hamstring injury Mount suffered overextending his leg in the Manchester derby in December kept him out until March, and Amorim was careful to reintroduce him — and praised his diligence in returning to fitness.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 25 July 2025
  • The trailer is careful to showcase the film’s scale – fighter planes soar, speedboats roar, trains careen, and cities flash by in a blur – while keeping plot details tantalizingly out of reach.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 July 2025
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • The alert impacts regions ranging from the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula to the southernmost counties, including major cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • Be alert to warning signs: Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of alert

Browse Nearby Words

war (with)
wary
was
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Cite this Entry

“Wary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wary. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of wary for Spanish Speakers

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