as in wary
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Recent Examples of gun-shy
But the specter of political consequences has officials in Miami feeling gun-shy about taking a public stance that could incite the wrath of the state and federal governments.
—
Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
But because Trump and the Republicans have been so effective in slapping extreme liberal caricatures on their opponents, Democrats are gun-shy.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
With President Donald Trump sending armed federal agents into communities around the country, even more once gun-shy liberals and leftists are considering getting armed.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
City staff members and officials remain a little gun-shy, Hazeltine said.
—Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025
The pressure from both the U.S. and China has seemingly made Panama more gun-shy about those ports shifting hands, with numerous officials putting CK Hutchison’s partnership with the Panamanian government under scrutiny.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
The writers gave The X-Files an award back in 1996 when the overall Academy was gun-shy about voting for it in Outstanding Drama.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2025
Underneath the puns and pumps was a dress-down of the rom-com that ultimately told the story of a woman who fell in love, came out worse, and became gun-shy.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 30 May 2025
Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
But because Trump and the Republicans have been so effective in slapping extreme liberal caricatures on their opponents, Democrats are gun-shy.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
With President Donald Trump sending armed federal agents into communities around the country, even more once gun-shy liberals and leftists are considering getting armed.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
City staff members and officials remain a little gun-shy, Hazeltine said.
—Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025
The pressure from both the U.S. and China has seemingly made Panama more gun-shy about those ports shifting hands, with numerous officials putting CK Hutchison’s partnership with the Panamanian government under scrutiny.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
The writers gave The X-Files an award back in 1996 when the overall Academy was gun-shy about voting for it in Outstanding Drama.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2025
Underneath the puns and pumps was a dress-down of the rom-com that ultimately told the story of a woman who fell in love, came out worse, and became gun-shy.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 30 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gun-shy
Adjective
-
Meloni initially avoided tying her image too closely to the referendum, wary of the danger that a defeat could weaken her domestically and abroad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Meloni initially avoided tying her image too closely to the referendum, wary of the danger that a defeat could weaken her domestically and abroad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite the kumbaya of last season, many of the moms remain leery of welcoming Demi back into the fold with open arms, and the reunion will be the first big test to see if their fragile peace actually holds.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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Rising oil prices and leery markets could spook the president into pulling back from the conflict.—
Joel Mathis,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With multiple players coming back from injury — as well as a questionable turf field — the Current opted to take a cautious approach.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Lee says Everpure’s initial approach to generative AI was fairly cautious after the launch of ChatGPT, as the company wanted to take time to set up governance protocols around data privacy and security.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is not the first time the United States has taken careful aim in Iran and shot its own feet.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Kang noted that Demon Hunters’ visual style was consciously shaped by her lifelong love of anime and manhwa — Korean comics and graphic novels — and executed with careful attention to Korean linguistic and cultural nuances, even though the film’s lingua franca is American English.—
Dan Bilefsky,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite the company’s claims, many are skeptical.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The Supreme Court in January appeared skeptical of challenges to some of the state-level bans, siding with proponents who argued that transgender girls and women should not play on girls' and women's sports teams out of fairness and safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But even in 2000 when Hope VI grants allowed for Laurel Homes to be replaced, residents were distrustful, in part, because only 1,100 units were going up.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Border czar Tom Homan says more than a thousand federal agents have already left Minnesota, though many community members remain distrustful and fearful.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Their extended range enables comprehensive mapping of vast territories, tracking snow levels to predict floods or hydroelectric output, and keeping a watchful eye on natural hazards such as landslides and avalanches.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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All under the watchful eyes of scouts from 30 of the 32 NFL teams.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Murphy is a perfect fit for the Oilers, who are desperately trying to make another run at the Stanley Cup Final during the brief show-me window Connor McDavid has given them.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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He was signed last summer to a one-year show-me contract worth $900,000 per season.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun-shy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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