Definitions

wary

[wair-ee] / ˈwɛər i /

ADJECTIVE

careful, cautious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attentive circumspect considerate distrustful frugal leery prudent suspicious vigilant watchful

WEAK

alert cagey calculating canny chary discreet doubting gingerly guarded handling with kid gloves heedful keeping on one's toes on guard on the lookout on the qui vive provident safe saving sly sparing thinking twice thrifty unwasteful walking on eggs watching one's step watching out wide-awake

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless certain inattentive incautious inconsiderate indiscreet negligent

WEAK

foolish heedless rash reckless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If the 1994 team was going to sell soccer to a wary public, it had to show it could play with the best.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Airline executives descend on Rio this weekend to weigh the prospects for an industry grappling with geopolitical turbulence, soaring fuel costs and travellers wary of chasing sky-high ticket prices.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

At the same time, people in F1 are wary of speaking publicly on the matter, for fear of recriminations.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

The news show has only had a handful of executive producers in its nearly 60-year run, and its staff can be wary of outsiders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

His mussed brown curls and full lips gave him an air of innocence, but his hazel eyes were as hard and wary as those of a meadow viper, his handsome face all sharp edges.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Vocabulary lists containing wary

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"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

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