WARINESS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

wariness

noun

Definition of wariness

as in carefulness

a close attentiveness to avoiding danger only his unceasing wariness saved the party of skiers from an avalanche

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wariness New players haven’t sensed any wariness from the loss or felt a Super Bowl hangover. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Parton, conversely, seemed to embrace all comers without wariness. — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 When fed, crocodiles can lose their natural wariness of people and instead learn to associate humans with food. — David Goodhue august 27, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Data centers, and Americans’ wariness toward them, are increasingly shaping political debates around the country. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 During our conversation, Goldfarb seems attuned to the wariness but prepared with counterpoints. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 Disheveled and brutish, Niaz is routinely greeted by his peers with wariness and surprise, his star faded by what is heavily suggested to be his own doing. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 This time around, the prospect of an Arab party in the coalition prompts more wariness among many Israelis, and Bennett and Lapid have both ruled out forming a coalition with one. — Tomer Almagor, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, investors are still not rushing to lock in yields at multi-decade highs, signaling a collective wariness that the selloff may not be over. — Greg Ritchie, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wariness

Noun

This carefulness is clearly strategic.

— Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
There was no carefulness in it.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Definition of carefulness

Noun

Nygren joined in asking residents to exercise extreme caution.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Fairfield Animal Control officers have issued a warning to residents urging caution following two separate incidents involving coyotes in the Catamount Road and Fencerow Drive areas.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of caution

Noun

Short-term rates went to 5% and change, Treasury bills paid more than investment grade corporates, and savers who had spent fifteen years being punished for prudence suddenly got paid handsomely for doing nothing.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
In those conditions, United’s prudence makes financial sense.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of prudence

Noun

Greening-tolerant trees do need good care with frequent feedings, minor nutrient sprays and insect control to remain as disease-free as possible.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
The lack of a real-time conversation means many patients aren’t getting the type of care recommended by medical societies that prescribe GLP-1s, including discussions about weight-loss goals, past efforts and eating disorders.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of care

Noun

Sirianni sees Smith’s attentiveness in team meetings, his extra work in the weight room on his own time, and his extra work before and after practices.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Tornare remarked on Koons’ attentiveness and deep involvement, from overall concepts to the smallest design cues.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of attentiveness

Browse Nearby Words

warily

wariness

waring

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wariness. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wariness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nemesis

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes