WARY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wary

adjective

ˈwer-ē

Definition of wary next

as in cautious

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble kept a wary eye out for signs of the enemy

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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

Examples 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 Some census watchers are wary of how the temporary hiring freeze Trump has ordered may affect the next phase of work for a major 2030 census field test, involving thousands of temporary workers, coming up next year. —

Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025 Make sure to compare the listing price to others in your city or area of interest, and be wary of offer that may be too good to be true, Breyault said. —

Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025 Still, public health experts are wary of any changes to access of federal health data. —

Teddy Rosenbluth, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 As for whether Givenchy was wary of what the response to the house’s dressing Trump might be, that does not to be an issue based on its track record for celebrating creativity, elegance and craftsmanship, and values that transcend cultural, social and political boundaries. —

Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for wary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wary

Adjective

Still, the Dodgers plan to be cautious with the right-hander at the outset of the 2025 season.

— Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
People who are pregnant should be cautious, as flaxseeds might have mild hormonal effects.

— Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Jan. 2025