CHARY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'chary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chary are cautious , circumspect , and wary . While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely. // chary of signing papers without having read them first

Q: In what contexts can 'cautious' take the place of 'chary'?

The words cautious and chary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger. // a cautious driver

Q: When is it sensible to use 'circumspect' instead of 'chary'?

While the synonyms circumspect and chary are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding. // circumspect in his business dealings

Q: When would 'wary' be a good substitute for 'chary'?

Although the words wary and chary have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it. // keeps a wary eye on the competition

chary

adjective

ˈcher-ē

Definition of chary next

as in wary

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble chary investors who weren't burned by the dot-com bust

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective chary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chary are cautious, circumspect, and wary. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

In what contexts can cautious take the place of chary?

The words cautious and chary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When is it sensible to use circumspect instead of chary?

While the synonyms circumspect and chary are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

When would wary be a good substitute for chary?

Although the words wary and chary have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of chary Pollan is understandably chary about the potential romanticism that lurks behind his conclusions. —

Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026 With that, many corporate leaders are chary about overreacting to the workforce disruption concern. —

Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 He’s not as guarded or chary as he was immersed in the Boston Baseball Experience, where one wrong step or word can spark furor. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2022 Beautiful is a strong word, and artists, critics and scholars are chary of it. —

Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2021 Knox was a bit chary on specifics, but no athlete allows that many injections without asking questions. —

Richard A. Lovett, Outside Online, 1 Sep. 2021 That tone is most obvious in the author’s chary regard of his icon. —

John Semley, The New Republic, 26 May 2021 A lot of people were mildly chary of its prospects. —

The Economist, 13 Mar. 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chary

Adjective

But many Angelenos remained wary of mass transit.

— Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
These are frequently active volcanoes, unlikely to produce a major explosive event, and people in surrounding communities generally know to be wary of them.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026