variants
also cagy
1
as in slick
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 hesitant
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
As of late, Nintendo has also been somewhat cagey about things like voice actors and the specific studios developing its games.
—
Jay Peters, The Verge, 17 Jan. 2025
This wry, lovelorn plaint is a cagey display of subtle dynamics and counterpoint on a lone electric guitar.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
This was a very tough spot against a big, cagey Vegas team that’s been constructed like something of a reverse image of the Canucks.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
During a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote his Kevin Hart-Mark Wahlberg comedy Me Time, Hamburg was cagey when asked if another Meet the Parents sequel could happen.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Jay Peters, The Verge, 17 Jan. 2025
This wry, lovelorn plaint is a cagey display of subtle dynamics and counterpoint on a lone electric guitar.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
This was a very tough spot against a big, cagey Vegas team that’s been constructed like something of a reverse image of the Canucks.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
During a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote his Kevin Hart-Mark Wahlberg comedy Me Time, Hamburg was cagey when asked if another Meet the Parents sequel could happen.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
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Meanwhile, with its slick production values and big stars, Doctor Odyssey is expensive to produce.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
27 June 2025
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The unapologetic embracing of social platforms and creators has also resulted in a record $8 Million raised from donors to help continue the slick social messaging push to November’s General Mayoral election.—
Jason Davis,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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And compared to past conflicts, the American public—especially young people—are far more hesitant about war.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Looking Forward With the treatment landscape in such upheaval, experts are hesitant to predict what the future of obesity and diabetes treatment will look like.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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With wit and cunning, the protagonists navigate the ever-present systems of oppression that encircle them and their relationships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
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President Trump does not exhibit Bismarck’s cunning, inscrutability, or proclivity for complicated diplomacy.—
Charles C. W. Cooke,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Cops were reluctant at first to charge Augustin with a hate crime.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
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It has also been unequally applied across institutions where some case managers have been reluctant to implement policies for unknown reasons.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Amazon is stocked with tons of cute coin purses that capture the kawaii aesthetic of Japanese street style.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2025
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Sourced from our favorite spots like J.Crew, Gap, Nordstrom Rack, and Amazon, these linen pieces are high quality and cute.—
Jeaneen Russell,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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But another piece of it is in the dubious nature of the state’s creation.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
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Pair that with a Republican reconciliation bill that increases tax giveaways while refusing to rein in even the most dubious Medicaid expansions, and the message is unmistakable: Washington is still in giveaway mode.—
Fatima Hussein,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Then a giant sunflower will blossom into my email directory, thanks to a wily plant nursery eager for a sale.—
Danny Heitman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 June 2025
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Still, there’s a lot of wily, seasoned talent in that squad, including Sergio Ramos, Óliver Torres and Lucas Ocampos, who know a thing or two about the big stage.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The Thunder’s championship run was the product of shrewd front office decisions, patient development, and a little bit of luck.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 June 2025
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Were these the shrewd moves of a wunderkind on the doorstep of a historic election upset?—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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