wariness

Definition of warinessnext

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 Some of that wariness, though, was paired with reasonable optimism. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 But right now, many foreign acts also feel fear — or at least wariness — about booking substantial tours in the United States. Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026 The speaker offered hope, but clearly expressed wariness, according to the Tasnim report. Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026 Even a lot of contemporary fiction, where the scenario of characters agonizing over whether to have children has become quite common, defaults to a laconic style (very short paragraphs separated by empty space, for example) that channels the familiar wariness about lushness. Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 But there has been a lot of overlap, including respect for tradition and order, the importance of institutions, the rule of law, and the complexity of human society, along with a wariness of radical change. Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026 So news of yet another live-action Tinker Bell project probably stirs something between hope and wariness. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026 There is wariness around layoffs and cost-cutting, however, and neither side’s commitments are seen as being set in stone. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026 Polls conducted online, in return for monetary rewards, can try to find demographically balanced respondents, but the problem of wariness about giving answers that are critical of the regime remains. Elizaveta Gaufman, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wariness
Noun
  • Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.
    Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • However, the researchers added a note of caution, noting that the technology was still in its early stages and could not be deployed at large scales immediately.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The developer is proceeding with caution.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That prudence by supporters of the center, including County Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Judge Steve Leifman, is now being used against them to keep the center in limbo.
    Jim DeFede, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • By all accounts, being a milquetoast is a sort of vice—cowardice masquerading as prudence.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Detroit failed to take care of the ball when the Magic scored 23 points off 20 takeaways.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Older adults tend to begin treatment within a month of symptoms starting — but young adults face an average seven-month delay before getting care.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There used to be a cautiousness in rolling out new technology.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
  • One key reason for his cautiousness is the financial burden.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As a professor of a notoriously difficult subject, Green said a teaching approach centered on encouragement and attentiveness has been the key to helping her students succeed.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In Smith’s attentiveness, the painting became a locus of communion, one that linked him to the artist who made it.
    Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His quiet tone is not shyness or false modesty but circumspection and a sense of boundaries that imply respect and love for real communication.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
  • This circumspection was by design.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wariness. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wariness

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster