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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leery. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leery
adjective
: suspicious sense 2, wary
leery of strangers
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