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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Recent Examples of leery
Where Manteris is leery of the era of DraftKings, Walters believes that PASPA’s fall has fuelled job creation, generated tax revenue, and minimized the criminal element in sports gambling.
—
Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
But, league sources said, both were leery of the possibilities.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for leery
Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
But, league sources said, both were leery of the possibilities.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
Adjective
-
The moody Moon and wary Chiron trine across your talkative 3rd house and your convivial 11th house, guiding your explanations of complex issues.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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Now, Iranians are likely to be wary about taking to the streets again because the Revolutionary Guard has demonstrated its ruthlessness, said Kamran Matin, an expert on Iran at the University of Sussex in southern England.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Other critics are taking a more cautious approach.—
Arielle Zionts,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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Lujan Grisham wraps up her tenure next year, and state lawmakers wary of unchecked spending opted during the legislative session that ended last month to take a cautious approach.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Judge Paul Friedman appeared skeptical of government claims that the policy is necessary for national security.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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There were skeptical voices at MWC, pointing out the failures of AI projects as well as the opportunities.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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