variants or less commonly leary
: suspicious, wary
often used with of
leery of strangers
She seemed a little leery of the proposal.

Examples of leery in a Sentence

They were leery of their neighbors.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many crypto industry leaders, as well as some members of Congress, are leery of the government holding something so risky. Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025 Polis, a Democrat, was leery of the stronger version of the bill but is now expected to sign it, said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors. The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025 The Canucks, however, are leery about such a valuation to this point. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025 But judging from some of the commentary online, passengers are confused and perhaps leery of hopping on an airplane. Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leery

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leery was in 1718

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leery. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

leery

adjective
: suspicious sense 2, wary
leery of strangers

More from Merriam-Webster on leery

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