WordValewary
cautious about possible danger or problems
cautious and watchful
cautious and uneasy
In more detail
1. (adjective) feeling or showing doubt and caution about someone or something, especially because you think there might be danger or problems
2. (adjective) careful to avoid something
Examples
- 1. She was wary of strangers after a bad experience.
- 2. I'm wary of making promises I can't keep.
How to use wary
Wary suggests active distrust or caution prompted by specific concerns, often about potential harm or deception. It is more emphatic than cautious and implies a defensive posture, whereas cautious can apply to general prudence. Wary of is the standard construction.
Common phrases
- wary of
- grow wary
- be wary
- wary eye
- wary glance
Synonyms
cautious · suspicious · guarded · circumspect · leery
Opposites
trusting · confident · reckless
Word family
warily (adverb) · wariness (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse wary with weary (tired); they are homophones in some accents but have entirely different meanings.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD