LEERY Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

leery

adjective

variants also leary

Definition of leery

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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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 leery DeSantis was also leery of the task force the bill set up to study and make recommendations for further electric bicycle regulations. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 26 June 2026 One Big 12 personnel director, who already was skeptical of Sorsby elevating his game at Tech, was even more leery after the gambling scandal about how the QB would manage it all this fall. — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Scores of businesses and shops in downtown Geneva boarded up their storefronts with wooden panels as a precaution, leery of upheaval that left a trail of damage in the city during a similar summit in Evian in 2003. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 At the same time, polls have shown that Americans have become increasingly leery of artificial intelligence, fearing its effects on jobs and the environment. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for leery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery

Adjective

Many Iranian women are openly flouting the rule – and authorities seem wary of launching a crackdown, for now.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
That’s as the Fed has been especially wary of inflation, which has exceeded its 2% target for more than five years, with several central bankers ready to hike rates.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of wary

Adjective

Another reason to be cautious about relying on AI is that crisis communications can pose critical legal risks for companies.

— Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Beijing is a source of crucial economic support for Iran but has walked a cautious diplomatic line amid the US-Iran war, keeping communications open with players on both sides.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

The tie-up should help some skeptical investors grow more confident that Salesforce — thanks to troves of proprietary customer data housed within its applications — has a role to play in this new AI world.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Price likened his attraction to the format to his early embrace of streaming entertainment back in the days when Hollywood remained skeptical of its staying power.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Browse Nearby Words

leers (at)

leery

lees

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“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of leery

adjective

Example Sentences

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