GUN-SHY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gun-shy

adjective

Definition of gun-shy

as in wary

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Recent Examples of gun-shy Of all the studios, Warner perhaps has the best reason to be gun-shy. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 The Guardians, typically stealthy and deliberate and gun-shy and sometimes patient and risk-averse to a fault, certainly shot their shot. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 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 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

His father, Francisco, was also wary, afraid that the town’s militarization would somehow provoke further conflict.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
South Africa has seemingly overcome its electricity crisis, with the country’s power utility, Eskom, reporting a power surplus during the winter peak-demand season, but civil society groups are wary of the surplus power being sold to data centers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

Bessent could face credibility challenges from a market already growing skeptical and leery of the challenges Treasurys are facing.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Initially, the trio looked to open in New York, but Didry was leery of setting up shop in a city saturated with French bakeries.

— Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of leery

Adjective

Initially skeptical of the tub, her contractors took pride in the end result.

— Sean Santiago, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
El Sayed has been skeptical of AI throughout his Senate campaign against GOP candidate Mike Rogers, calling for government ownership of the technology and backing a sweeping tax on AI companies’ stock.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
When the community is hostile toward or distrustful of a particular minority group, police may feel that discriminatory behavior toward that group is justified.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of distrustful

Adjective

Along the way, Michael develops an unlikely friendship with Kacey (Lauren Patel), while navigating the demands of his boss Gordon (Crook) and the watchful eyes of nosy neighbours Bev (Sophie Willan) and Clive (Jon Pointing).

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
South of Valencia along the Costa Blanca is Alicante, a walkable port city and an outdoor lover’s paradise with parks, gardens, and historic plazas unfold beneath the watchful eye of a 9th-century castle.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of watchful

Browse Nearby Words

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 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gun-shy

adjective

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