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
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Recent Examples of cagey
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
And even in recent interviews given to promote the residency’s resumption, other band members were cagey about exactly what went down, before Neil himself let the cat out of the bag.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
The duo’s fingerprints were all over four great Argentina openings in a cagey game.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cagey
K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
And even in recent interviews given to promote the residency’s resumption, other band members were cagey about exactly what went down, before Neil himself let the cat out of the bag.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
The duo’s fingerprints were all over four great Argentina openings in a cagey game.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
-
Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While the expansion has led to more arrests, especially in Florida, many local agencies are reluctant to participate.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Each page features full-color illustrations and only a few lines of text, making Xolo an excellent pick for reluctant readers, graphic novel lovers, and kids who’ve just begun to find their way into longer stories.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But so far, the bottom rung of the corporate ladder is being most affected; employers are using AI to automate simpler, lower-level tasks, managers are hesitant to hire Gen Z professionals, and internships are dwindling.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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His aggressive and unpredictable tariffs have only exacerbated that, as businesses have become hesitant to hire more workers due to uncertainty.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Models are wearing finger waves, low buns, slick backs.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
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What Komasa gives us are samples of slick videos produced by the Cumberland Company that extol the values of freedom, dignity, destiny and, perhaps most ambiguous, solidarity.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Featuring a subtle kick flare at the hem and chic pintuck detailing, they’re designed to hit right under the calf, or just at the ankle for petite people like myself.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Adding parsnips and turnips to the recipe gives the dish a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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