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warily

adverb

Definition of warilynext
as in guardedly

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Example Sentences

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 warily Ever since the outbreak of war with Iran earlier this year, motorists have been warily eyeing prices at the pump. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 Dan Pfoltzer, a 75-year-old school bus driver who rents a small home in Nassau, New York, has been warily watching oil heat prices for months. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 Livestream videos from that night capture people warily approaching the shooting scene. — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026 In another of Nishimura’s photographs, CNN’s chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins glances warily in the direction of Brian Glenn, a former White House correspondent for the conservative streaming network Real America’s Voice. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 Community interest in beavers is stirring among Sedona residents and workers, who have watched warily in recent weeks as the Pocket Fire raged. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 18 July 2026 Meanwhile, those students newly entering college are warily eyeing computer science. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Guests began to peek out from under their tables and warily stand up. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Today, many literary translators and translation teachers regard it warily. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warily
  1. guardedly
  2. hesitantly
  3. quizzically
  4. questioningly
  5. incredulously
Adverb
  • The tall, garrulous 72-year-old county commissioner is guardedly patriotic.
    — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • San Diego faces economic challenges in the coming year, but one expert is guardedly optimistic about efforts to address affordability and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of guardedly
Adverb
  • In the public imagination, Housewives with a capital H are fame-hungry attention hogs who would rather throw the $400 bottle of Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux that’s sitting in front of us than sip it, as Cosby is hesitantly doing now.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Diane refuses, but April hesitantly makes the trip, only to learn that Theo — an artistic dilettante who lives in the city with his girlfriend, Lucy (Odessa A’zion) — has been lunching with Sandra behind her back.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hesitantly
Adverb
  • Prosecutors put the photo up on a large screen in the courtroom, showing a bearded man in a black T-shirt in front of platters of food, glancing quizzically at the camera.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The pinniped pup looked around quizzically with large, black eyes before lumbering into the surf with abandon — as only the young can.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of quizzically
Adverb
  • Espinoza responded, holding up his hands questioningly.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Bundhorol motioned to the direction of camp questioningly, then in the opposite direction, out into the empty grass.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2025
Definition of questioningly
Adverb
  • Gulliver incredulously witnesses people attempting to extract sunbeams from cucumbers and turn excrement back into edible food.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Some people go so far as to repeat the nickname incredulously, or to make fun of it.
    — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of incredulously

Browse Nearby Words

warhorses
warily
wariness
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Cite this Entry

“Warily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warily. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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