as in wary
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Recent Examples of gun-shy
Major studios have grown gun-shy about funding anything remotely risky; even a risk well taken can prompt a knee-jerk, scornful reaction from not only the executives but also the press: The film could, even should, have done better.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Nintendo has been famously gun-shy of live-action adaptations — or adaptations in general — after the abysmal 1993 Super Mario Bros. film tanked.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
But that ending has yet to be printed: in a documentary climate in which corporations are growing increasingly gun-shy, The Stringer does not yet have a distributor.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race early (followed later by her fellow female candidates, senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren), and some pundits speculated that Democratic primary voters were gun-shy of nominating another woman after Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 July 2024
The Price of Entry Apart from elevated risks, there are several other reasons why international firms are likely to remain gun-shy about India.
—Arvind Subramanian, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2022
Digital transformation made employers more selective and gun-shy about entry-level hiring, but generative AI will take it to a new level.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023
David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Nintendo has been famously gun-shy of live-action adaptations — or adaptations in general — after the abysmal 1993 Super Mario Bros. film tanked.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
But that ending has yet to be printed: in a documentary climate in which corporations are growing increasingly gun-shy, The Stringer does not yet have a distributor.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race early (followed later by her fellow female candidates, senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren), and some pundits speculated that Democratic primary voters were gun-shy of nominating another woman after Hillary Clinton’s loss in 2016.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 July 2024
The Price of Entry Apart from elevated risks, there are several other reasons why international firms are likely to remain gun-shy about India.
—Arvind Subramanian, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2022
Digital transformation made employers more selective and gun-shy about entry-level hiring, but generative AI will take it to a new level.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gun-shy
Adjective
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There is a chance the deal is not with the Mets, who could still be wary of committing to an aging slugger like Alonso.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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Some strategists are wary of how effective term limits would be in the long run.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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But Polis is leery of the idea, and, with a veto possible, the bill went unmentioned during a celebratory news conference Thursday.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
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The costs associated with owning a condo may have prospective buyers feeling leery.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Younger teammates were cautious to approach him, mindful of his intense dedication to his process and wary of disrupting it.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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While there's no way to know who will have a reaction to the stings, Suiter says that anyone who carries an Epipen for other stinging insects should be exceptionally cautious.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The review process is careful for a reason – and perhaps the only real method of speeding it up is the one Zeldin has proposed: reassigning staff so there are more people to share the work.—
Jeffrey Gore,
The Conversation,
14 May 2025
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From examining markets and assessing team capacity to reviewing current offerings, the decision to expand to a second storefront is one that requires careful consideration before any concrete plans are put in motion.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Klein is skeptical that the Trump Administration will usher in a new era of building things.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
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Hannah Harriman, a Marquette County Health Department nurse who previously spent 12 years working for Planned Parenthood of Marquette, is skeptical of any suggestion that telehealth can replace a rural brick-and-mortar clinic.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife but becomes distrustful of Ella-Rose even as Abigail falls under her spell.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
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Over time, the person on the receiving end becomes distrustful of you.—
Tessa West, Contributor,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Under the watchful eye of coach Jono Zissi, the program has morphed from a perennial contender into a certified dynasty.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
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Behind them, quiet and watchful, Maester Rodrik whispered a prayer to gods long abandoned, his voice trembling with dread beneath the vast, indifferent sky.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Goldman downgraded the Club stock to hold from buy, saying this is now a show-me story.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
30 Apr. 2025
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For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature and use of the show-me versus tell-me prompting strategy, see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun-shy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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