wariness

noun

Definition of warinessnext
as in carefulness
a close attentiveness to avoiding danger only his unceasing wariness saved the party of skiers from an avalanche

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 Senate Republicans have expressed wariness in recent days about the prospect of slashing those standards, which advocates say help keep kids safe and healthy. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 The non-lethal technique, known as aversive conditioning, is designed to restore bears’ natural wariness of humans and populated areas. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 There’s a lot of really great radio programs that have positive public-health messaging, but there’s also a lot of distrust and just wariness of how much people’s daily lives have changed. — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 People in China often regard technology with less wariness than Americans do, because living standards have improved so dramatically in the computing era. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wariness
  1. carefulness
  2. caution
  3. prudence
  4. care
  5. cautiousness
  6. attentiveness
  7. circumspection
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
  • For now, video officials will be limited to categorical errors, such as a second caution given to a player for handball when replays prove the ball hit them in the face.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Take caution when walking around here; the rocks can be slippery and waves have swept people out to sea.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 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
  • But even when care is available, stigma can still present a huge barrier.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Alja, who works at an elder care facility, is a bit too eager to host the freeloading Maruša.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of care
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
Definition of cautiousness
Noun
  • For instance, Sentry works with trucking clients to improve driver ergonomics to enhance attentiveness and focus, which Zernicke says is a high-return-on-investment for fleet operators.
    — Sentry Insurance, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the studies, participants also reported less daytime sleepiness, less frequent muscle weakness, and greater attentiveness.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • Faragna motioned to Nardulli to step to one side and spoke into his ear with circumspection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The machine moves with circumspection, as if consciousness had just been ensouled in a new body.
    — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 6 July 2026
Definition of circumspection

Browse Nearby Words

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wariness
waring
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Cite this Entry

“Wariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wariness. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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