Synonyms of wary

wary

adjective

ˈwer-ē 

as in cautious

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble

kept a wary eye out for signs of the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautious
• careful
• alert
• circumspect
• guarded
• chary
• conservative
• considerate
• heedful
• safe
• thoughtful
• gingerly
• vigilant
• watchful
• attentive
• observant
• awake
• regardful
• slow
• cagey
• deliberate
• shrewd
• foresighted
• calculating
• hypercautious
• provident
• canny
• advertent
• cagy
• forethoughtful
• foresightful
• ultracautious
• ultracareful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• unsafe
• reckless
• unmindful
• regardless
• heedless
• unwary
• bold
• impetuous
• rash
• unguarded
• venturesome
• brash
• incautious
• negligent
• thoughtless
• inattentive
• lax
• asleep
• remiss
• inconsiderate
• neglectful
• imprudent
• indiscreet
• forgetful
• injudicious
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unplanned
• absentminded

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective wary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wary are cautious, chary, and circumspect. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

When would cautious be a good substitute for wary?

The meanings of cautious and wary largely overlap; however, cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When might chary be a better fit than wary?

While in some cases nearly identical to wary, chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

In what contexts can circumspect take the place of wary?

In some situations, the words circumspect and wary are roughly equivalent. However, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wary

His mother forbade him from riding, wary of the dangers. —Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025

As spokesman Mike Marinella frames it, the NRCC encourages lawmakers to meet with their constituents in public, but to be wary of events that could divert attention from a House member’s message and agenda. —Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

The result is many financial advisors became wary of providing advice about rolling IRA rollovers. —Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Timothée Chalamet, in particular, nominated for his role in A Complete Unknown and who attended with girlfriend Kylie Jenner, seemed wary of being roasted. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025