wary

[wair-ee]

adjective

warier, wariest 

1. watchful; being on one's guard against danger.

   Synonyms: prudent, circumspect, guarded, vigilant, alert

2. arising from or characterized by caution.

   to give someone a wary look.

wary

/ ˈwɛərɪ /

adjective

1. watchful, cautious, or alert

2. characterized by caution or watchfulness

Other Word Forms

• warily adverb
• wariness noun
• overwary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wary¹

First recorded in 1545–55; ware ² + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of wary¹

C16: from _ware ² + _-y ¹

Synonym Study

See careful.

Example Sentences

For now those who are wary of installing Max on their devices can still find a way around it.

From BBC

India should also be wary, some experts say, of the US expanding tariffs to non-goods areas like services, digital trade and outsourcing in the event of an escalation.

From BBC

This made it easier for Nuñez to reprise the character and he hopes the familiarity of his character will act as a bridge for fans who may be wary of the new setting.

From BBC

Beijing would want India to open its market of 1.4 billion people to Chinese products, but Delhi would be wary of doing that without addressing the deficit.

From BBC

For over a decade, India has styled itself as a key node in a new multipolar order: one foot in Washington, another in Moscow, and a wary eye on Beijing.

From BBC

Related Words

• attentive 
• circumspect 
• considerate 
• distrustful 
• frugal 
• leery 
• prudent 
• suspicious 
• vigilant 
• watchful