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 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

Travelers should be wary of unexpected obstacles littering the roadway as high winds cause trees and power lines to fall.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Opinion has changed, as the public has grown wary of AI and its ability to amass and synthesize many forms of data.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 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

Drug development is highly regulated, and executives have good reasons to be cautious about changing how major decisions are made.

— George Achilleos, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
McNamara also wanted to create a performance-focused, consumer-centric drive in a business that had grown up under the umbrella of a more cautious pharmaceutical company.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Renault is careful to frame this as a style exercise rather than a preview of a production model.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Awash with new property tax funds, local governments often haven’t been careful stewards of residents’ tax dollars.

— Elaine Parker, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The pledge from Walmart comes as concerns are mounting from some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers skeptical about the rollout of digital price labels by the discounter and other stores.

— Anne D’Innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist known for his research on the intersection of psychology and AI, is also skeptical that AI agents could paralyze the internet.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

In the last 25 years, the American electorate has become more polarized, distrustful, and apathetic.

— Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026
Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distrustful

Adjective

Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son Barrett, entered a not guilty plea under the watchful eye of her husband, whom she is accused of attempting to poison.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Keep a watchful eye out for these unwanted visitors and, if needed, use an organic soap spray to manage their spread.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of watchful

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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 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gun-shy

adjective

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