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.

Gutsy contrarian investors should now be more interested in Verizon Communications, given that it’s being kicked out of the Dow, and more wary about Alphabet.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

The partnership is an unusual alliance between Google’s DeepMind AI unit and A24, as Hollywood has been wary of artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

But investors need to be wary of assuming traditionally cyclical businesses such as memory chips can sustain the market ever.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

Data and privacy experts warned consumers to be wary of offering up their data - especially access to their homes - in exchange for purportedly free services.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

It made Hazel’s stomach wary just to look at it.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu

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