GUN-SHY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gun-shy

adjective

Definition of gun-shy

as in wary

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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 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 City staff members and officials remain a little gun-shy, Hazeltine said. — Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 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

Global oil prices fell sharply on Monday after a pause in fighting between the United States and Iran, though traders remain wary.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
The campaign has taken the protests demanding accountability and education reforms beyond the streets, broadening its reach and intensifying pressure on a government wary of appearing to yield to a rapidly growing youth movement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

The course comes two months after the city held a daylong expo about AI and at a time when Black communities are leery of AI and are concerned about the onslaught of data centers cropping up in their communities.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
For example, the Republican clerk in Elbert County is also leery of election results and did a hand count of the presidential results in his county in 2020.

— The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Definition of leery

Adjective

Thanks to persistent inflation, the soaring cost of living, and AI making employers cautious about hiring (and everyday people cautious of spending), entry-level part-time jobs like lifeguarding and retail assistants are disappearing.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Some are more cautious about buying nonessentials like takeout coffee.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

People can and should be skeptical about the sonnets written about starting NFL quarterbacks every offseason, when no one is getting sacked and almost everyone looks good.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
After clear signs that a judge was skeptical of its defense, Paramount decided to agree to go to trial and not to close the deal before June 1, 2027, or a favorable ruling, whichever comes first.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

The 72-year-old’s popularity boomed during the pandemic, when his insistence that COVID vaccines were dangerous and his opposition to lockdown restrictions attracted many Americans distrustful of government policy.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Fearful of invading marauders, humankind has turned distrustful and stingy, ignoring Zeus’ command to show generosity toward the poor and foreign-born, a cornerstone of faith that would later be repurposed in the New Testament.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of distrustful

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gunshots

gun-shy

gurgle

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“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun-shy. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gun-shy

adjective

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