variants or less commonly leary
: suspicious, wary
often used with of
leery of strangers
She seemed a little leery of the proposal.

Examples of leery in a Sentence

They were leery of their neighbors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This mostly unwarranted fear can lead to persecution by locals—one reason that many experts on harpy eagles are leery of speaking about this issue. Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025 Despite the need for new housing, years of traumatic wildfires have made many local officials leery of allowing construction in risky spots. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 July 2025 Developer Vista Property said Wednesday that the company is about to break ground on a massive apartment tower in the West Loop’s Fulton Market, a rare event ever since soaring costs made many investors leery about supporting such projects. Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025 And that makes prospective visitors to the U.S., even as tourists, leery. Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for leery

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leery was in 1718

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leery. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

leery

adjective
: suspicious sense 2, wary
leery of strangers

More from Merriam-Webster on leery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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