variants
also cagy
1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cagey
With one year left on his deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, James has been cagey — arguably coy — over his future plans.
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
In May 1961, Welch alleged that a CBS reporter had used underhanded tactics to interview him against his wishes, resulting in footage that made the Birch leader look cagey and defensive.
—Time, 7 Oct. 2025
In Other News • Bradley and Chip finally track down Claire, who is cagey, but does hand over a document that clearly points to former head of news Bethanne Hines taking a multimillion-dollar payout to kill the Wolf River story.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
For a long stretch of its opening act, All the President’s Men—the canonical paranoid thriller from 1976—isn’t just about the brewing Watergate scandal, or about the battle between a cagey political machine and an enterprising newspaper.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
In May 1961, Welch alleged that a CBS reporter had used underhanded tactics to interview him against his wishes, resulting in footage that made the Birch leader look cagey and defensive.
—Time, 7 Oct. 2025
In Other News • Bradley and Chip finally track down Claire, who is cagey, but does hand over a document that clearly points to former head of news Bethanne Hines taking a multimillion-dollar payout to kill the Wolf River story.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
For a long stretch of its opening act, All the President’s Men—the canonical paranoid thriller from 1976—isn’t just about the brewing Watergate scandal, or about the battle between a cagey political machine and an enterprising newspaper.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
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While people born in the year of the snake are seen as charismatic, intelligent, and artistic, they are also often considered cunning and mysterious.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And Halston has a cunning plan.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The same report notes that many people continue to recognize viable opportunities, yet a growing number feel reluctant to act on them.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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And while many might be reluctant to close the time capsule door on their beloved skinnies, some of us are sighing with relief that the current denim trend is comfy enough for travel.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Real Arizonans know that Valentine's Day is so much more than an excuse for candy and cute notes.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This brought back family gossip and hesitant bits of information about my mother’s beloved grandfather, my maternal great-grandfather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
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That statistic underlines just how hesitant companies have become to acquire indie projects.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The singer completed the look with a bold snake choker necklace and a super slick bun.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
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When skin starts feeling slick or congested, Medicube’s Zero Pore Pads help restore balance.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The moments that could be regarded as direct criticism were rare and subtle.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
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The skirt is made with an intentionally creased texture and features a straight cut with a subtle flare at the hem.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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