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
Relevance
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
variants
also cageyness
1
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
most consumers should possess sufficient caginess to see through that scam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the lawyer's celebrated caginess makes her the first choice of the hopelessly guilty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
-
That’s when Timothy Olyphant shows up as Clark Ross, a slick golf legend who has the clout, money and cunning to undercut Stick and make Santi his own protegé.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
The companies breaking through aren’t the ones with the slickest campaigns or splashiest features.—
Kristin Russel,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2025
-
In the meantime, businesses are left in the murky waters — hesitant to make more or ship more, unsure where to build factories or how high to raise prices.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Chinese companies are mandated by law to assist China's intelligence agencies when needed.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
-
Unethical competitive intelligence is, unfortunately, usually par for the course in the software industry.—
Chris Mele,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
On the other end of the spectrum was the more docile Kelly who often felt conflicted when her morals clashed with the cunning needed to succeed in the game.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
-
But Waltz also advocated for further diplomatically isolating President Vladimir Putin — a position that was out of step with Trump, who has viewed the Russian leader, at moments, with admiration for his cunning in dealings with Trump’s predecessors.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
The knotted fabric straps have an elevated look, making these cute enough to wear with your favorite sundresses and skirts.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
-
In addition to pool and beach looks, these slides look cute with baggy jeans and graphic tank tops, flowy midi dresses, and two-piece linen sets.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere in the country, too, state agencies and providers that rely on SAMHSA funding and technical support are feeling isolated, lost and reluctant to reach out to the federal staff left at the agency, says Dr. Eric Rafla-Yuan, a psychiatrist in San Diego, Calif.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
6 June 2025
-
Jobless claims — a proxy for layoffs — still remain low by historical standards, suggesting that employers are reluctant to cut staff despite uncertainty over Trump’s policies.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Historical Odds of Positive Post-Earnings Returns for Gap Some insights on one-day (1D) post-earnings returns: There are 19 earnings data points documented over the past five years, with 14 positive and 5 negative one-day (1D) returns recorded.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Pilotless planes are taking flight in China.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
However, the calculation was not indexed to inflation; therefore, after 5 decades, the calculation began affecting middle-income earners.—
Cindy McGhee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
In addition to Bailey’s involvement with the report, the University of Missouri also performed calculations of the data that was included in the report.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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