variants
also leary
as in wary
feeling or showing a lack of trust in someone or something
a leery attitude She seemed a little leery about the proposal. They were leery of their neighbors.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leery
Flush with promise: After decades of trying to court leery American consumers, high-tech Japanese toilet makers are finally seeing a shift.
—
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The Republican governor has been leery of the more visually violent execution method.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
In fact, Illinois lawmakers — long leery of being secretly recorded — have prohibited state and local law enforcement from wiretapping the phones of politicians suspected of corruption, as federal investigators are allowed to do.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Besides the call for deeper cuts, some Republican senators are leery of the House push to phase out tax credits for big energy projects in their states.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for leery
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 May 2025
The Republican governor has been leery of the more visually violent execution method.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
In fact, Illinois lawmakers — long leery of being secretly recorded — have prohibited state and local law enforcement from wiretapping the phones of politicians suspected of corruption, as federal investigators are allowed to do.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Besides the call for deeper cuts, some Republican senators are leery of the House push to phase out tax credits for big energy projects in their states.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
Adjective
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But despite that backing, most Americans are wary of the consequences.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Many aides are very wary of getting ahead of Trump given his unpredictability.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The prospect of higher inflation even as present data looks mild has led to a staredown between the Fed, which has advocated for a cautious approach on cutting interest rates in case tariffs do worsen inflation, and Trump, who has aggressively called for big cuts.—
Derek Saul,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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That’s a problem for investors, who regard Powell as a serious, cautious economist who operates independently of Trump’s political desires.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Some employees are skeptical of the AI, especially following a Bloomberg report in January that predicted up to 200,000 jobs on Wall Street could be at risk within five years due to technologies like AI.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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But some, including former Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston, remain skeptical about whether the current bill will lay the groundwork for a successful regional system.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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