1
: afraid of loud noise (such as that of a gun)
2
: markedly distrustful, afraid, or cautious

Examples of gun-shy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race early (followed later by her fellow female candidates, senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren), and some pundits speculated that Democratic primary voters were gun-shy of nominating another woman after Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 July 2024 The Price of Entry Apart from elevated risks, there are several other reasons why international firms are likely to remain gun-shy about India. Arvind Subramanian, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2022 Digital transformation made employers more selective and gun-shy about entry-level hiring, but generative AI will take it to a new level. Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gun-shy was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near gun-shy

Cite this Entry

“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gun-shy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gun-shy

adjective
-ˌshī
1
: afraid of loud noise (as that of a gun)
2
: being distrustful, afraid, or cautious

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