Synonyms for

Wary

Verb / ˈweri: / Another word for wary — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.

Synonyms & similar words

suspicious leery unwary mistrustful untrusting cautious careful vigilant alert watchful circumspect prudent suspicious distrustful hesitant guarded chary leery skeptical doubtful untrusting paranoid nervous anxious apprehensive

Synonyms by register

Formal

cautious guarded circumspect vigilant

Informal

careful on guard watchful alert

Literary

chary heedful

Antonyms

bold careless confident reckless unconcerned trusting heedless

Common collocations

  • wary of danger
  • wary of strangers
  • wary of change
  • wary of the consequences
  • remain wary
  • become wary
  • wary of falling
  • wary of making mistakes

Word family

adjective wary
adverb warily

Usage note

Wary implies a sense of caution and suspicion due to potential danger or problems. It is often followed by 'of'.

Example sentences

  1. The cat was wary of the new dog in the house.
  2. She was wary of giving out her personal information online.
  3. The hiker was wary of the slippery rocks on the trail.
  4. He was always wary of strangers approaching him.
  5. The company was wary of investing too much money in the new product.

Quotes

  • I'm very wary of giving advice. I think it's very dangerous to give advice to people, except if you know them very well.
  • I'm always wary of people who are not quite certain they are right about everything.
  • I'm very wary of large groups of people getting together and trying to believe the same thing. It never seems to end well.

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