Word forms: comparative warier, superlative wariest
1. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are waryof something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems.
People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers. [+ of]
They were very wary about giving him a contract. [+ about]
warily (weərɪli)adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
She studied me warily, as if I might turn violent.
Synonyms: cautiously, carefully, discreetly, with care More Synonyms of wary
Synonyms: suspiciously, uneasily, guardedly, sceptically More Synonyms of wary
2.
See a wary eye
More Synonyms of wary
wary in British English
(ˈwɛərɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: warier or wariest
1.
watchful, cautious, or alert
2.
characterized by caution or watchfulness
Derived forms
warily (ˈwarily)
adverb
wariness (ˈwariness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from ware2 + -y1
wary in American English
(ˈwɛri)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈwarier or ˈwariest
1.
cautious; on one's guard
2.
characterized by caution
a wary look
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcareful
Idioms:
wary of
Word origin
< ware2 + -y2
Examples of 'wary' in a sentence
wary
The rescuers have been forced to keep a wary eye out for further avalanches cascading down on them.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They will also be wary.
The Sun (2016)
You may also be wary of trusting any one man with all your feelings because your dad wasn't there for your mum or you.
The Sun (2016)
So I can imagine there may be some who also feel wary about a little-known process that has been in place for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Recent tricky situations have made cautious individuals wary of concepts you regard as worthwhile.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Shops were shuttered and the few people whom we saw looked grim and wary.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Unions may be wary of promises made on the back of pay cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are proud of this man but also a bit wary now.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Enjoy this positive mood but remain wary.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Everyone is wary of the prospect of airstrikes.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You must be wary of becoming a plaster for his wounds which he may throw away.
The Sun (2011)
He looks wary when asked about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Sceptics stung by that debacle may still be wary.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They are also wary of equity release schemes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Banks remain wary about lending to waste management projects.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
With household budgets under such pressure we must be wary of introducing unnecessary new regulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He came out to see me with a wary look.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Officials may indeed be wary of a backlash.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Lenders can also be wary of those with uncertain incomes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The cat on the left has a watchful, almost wary stare.
Bennett, Darren Learn to Draw Cats (1999)
But the Government should be wary of too much consultation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But the Government is wary about spending its billions unchecked.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
MI5 also remains deeply wary of Russian intentions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The technology industry has historically had a reputation of being wary of government, and is known for its libertarian ideals.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I stayed beside the attacker, keeping a wary eye on him in case he decided to try anything.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
To begin with, her eyes are wary and watchful; her answers are cautious.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Big cities are vivid and exciting, but also tense, wary of eye contact and likely to steal your wallet.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were wary and cautious at first, but soon became accustomed to their surroundings, rolling in the sand and playing.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
wary
British English: wary ADJECTIVE
If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems.
People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers.
American English: wary
Brazilian Portuguese: cauteloso
Chinese: 小心的
European Spanish: cauteloso
French: méfiant
German: vorsichtig
Italian: circospetto
Japanese: 警戒している
Korean: 조심하는
European Portuguese: cauteloso
Latin American Spanish: cauteloso
Chinese translation of 'wary'
wary
(ˈwɛərɪ)
adj
to be wary (of sb/sth)提防(某人/某事) (dīfang (mǒurén/mǒushì))
to be wary about or of doing sth对(對)做某事很谨(謹)慎 (duì zuò mǒushì hěn jǐnshèn)
1 (adjective)
Definition
cautious or on one's guard
My mother always told me to be wary of strangers.
Synonyms
suspicious
He has his father's suspicious nature.
sceptical
mistrustful
Fletcher had become taciturn and mistrustful of the media.
suspecting
guarded
The boy gave him a guarded reply.
apprehensive
People are still terribly apprehensive about the future.
cagey (informal)
He is cagey about what he was paid for his business.
leery (slang)
They are leery of the proposed system.
distrustful
Voters are distrustful of all politicians.
on your guard
chary
Some people are rather chary of being associated with him.
heedful
2 (adjective)
Definition
cautious or on one's guard
Keep a wary eye on children when they are playing near water.
Synonyms
watchful
Children swam at the pool, under the watchful eye of the lifeguards.
careful
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
alert
He had been spotted by an alert neighbour.
cautious
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
prudent
He is taking a prudent and cautious approach.
attentive
I wish you would be more attentive to detail.
vigilant
Police warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
circumspect
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
heedful
on the lookout
wide-awake
on the qui vive
Opposites
rash
,
reckless
,
careless
,
negligent
,
unsuspecting
,
foolhardy
,
unwary
,
unguarded
,
imprudent
,
remiss
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alert
Definition
watchful and attentive
He had been spotted by an alert neighbour.
Synonyms
attentive,
careful,
awake,
wary,
vigilant,
perceptive,
watchful,
ready,
on the lookout,
circumspect,
observant,
on guard,
wide-awake,
on your toes,
on the watch,
keeping a weather eye on,
heedful
in the sense of apprehensive
Definition
fearful or anxious about the future
People are still terribly apprehensive about the future.
Synonyms
anxious,
concerned,
worried,
afraid,
alarmed,
nervous,
suspicious,
doubtful,
uneasy,
fearful,
disquieted,
foreboding,
twitchy (informal),
mistrustful,
antsy (informal)
in the sense of attentive
Definition
paying close attention
I wish you would be more attentive to detail.
Synonyms
intent,
listening,
concentrating,
careful,
alert,
awake,
mindful,
watchful,
observant,
studious,
on your toes,
heedful,
regardful
Synonyms of 'wary'
wary
Explore 'wary' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cagey
Definition
reluctant to go into details
He is cagey about what he was paid for his business.
Synonyms
guarded,
reserved,
careful,
cautious,
restrained,
wary,
discreet,
shrewd,
wily,
reticent,
noncommittal,
chary
in the sense of careful
Definition
cautious in attitude or action
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
Synonyms
cautious,
painstaking,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
circumspect,
punctilious (formal),
chary,
heedful,
thoughtful,
discreet
in the sense of cautious
Definition
showing or having caution
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
Synonyms
careful,
guarded,
alert,
wary,
discreet,
tentative,
prudent,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
on your toes,
chary,
belt-and-braces,
keeping a weather eye on,
heedful
in the sense of chary
Definition
wary or careful
Some people are rather chary of being associated with him.
Synonyms
wary,
guarded,
careful,
reluctant,
cautious,
suspicious,
uneasy,
scrupulous,
circumspect,
leery (slang),
heedful,
prudent
in the sense of circumspect
Definition
cautious and careful not to take risks
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
Synonyms
cautious,
politic,
guarded,
careful,
wary,
discriminating,
discreet,
sage,
prudent,
canny,
attentive,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
observant,
sagacious (formal),
heedful
in the sense of distrustful
Voters are distrustful of all politicians.
Synonyms
suspicious,
doubting,
wary,
cynical,
doubtful,
sceptical,
uneasy,
dubious,
distrusting,
disbelieving,
leery (slang),
mistrustful,
chary
in the sense of guarded
Definition
cautious and avoiding any commitment
The boy gave him a guarded reply.
Synonyms
cautious,
reserved,
careful,
suspicious,
restrained,
wary,
discreet,
prudent,
reticent,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
leery (slang),
noncommittal
in the sense of heedful
Synonyms
careful,
cautious,
wary,
prudent,
attentive,
vigilant,
mindful,
watchful,
circumspect,
observant,
chary
in the sense of leery
Definition
suspicious or wary
They are leery of the proposed system.
Synonyms
wary,
cautious,
uncertain,
suspicious,
doubting,
careful,
shy,
sceptical,
dubious,
unsure,
distrustful,
on your guard,
chary
in the sense of mistrustful
Fletcher had become taciturn and mistrustful of the media.
Synonyms
suspicious,
nervous,
cautious,
uncertain,
wary,
cynical,
doubtful,
sceptical,
dubious,
fearful,
hesitant,
apprehensive,
leery (slang),
distrustful,
chary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of prudent
Definition
discreet or cautious
He is taking a prudent and cautious approach.
Synonyms
cautious,
careful,
wary,
discreet,
canny,
vigilant,
circumspect
in the sense of vigilant
Definition
on the watch for trouble or danger
Police warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.