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
Some conservatives are leery of reforming ICE and giving Democrats leverage over the agency’s funding.
—
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Troy was leery, noting disgustedly, and correctly, that law enforcement had decided this time to send a Black detective, Penelton, hoping that this would put him at ease enough to finally talk.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
At the same time, at around $80 per ounce currently, the metal hasn't experienced such rapid growth as to exclude beginners and other investors leery of overpaying, either.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In a 2024 business profile in the Naperville Sun, Mowry was leery of the impact construction work downtown would have on business.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leery
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Troy was leery, noting disgustedly, and correctly, that law enforcement had decided this time to send a Black detective, Penelton, hoping that this would put him at ease enough to finally talk.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
At the same time, at around $80 per ounce currently, the metal hasn't experienced such rapid growth as to exclude beginners and other investors leery of overpaying, either.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In a 2024 business profile in the Naperville Sun, Mowry was leery of the impact construction work downtown would have on business.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
Adjective
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But some experts on gun violence are still wary of endorsing the program.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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The stock market has soared in anticipation of lavish public spending, but bond markets remain wary.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Be cautious about taking on new debt that assumes your current income is guaranteed.—
Matt Shumer,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Connecticut education leaders are expressing cautious optimism as the state Department of Education tries its hand at course development.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Overall, the five-member panel of justices appeared skeptical of the prosecution’s arguments on those points.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Some fans can get skeptical when their favorite artists incorporate more Christian-adjacent messaging in their music.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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