variants
also cagy
1
as in slick
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hesitant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cagey
During a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote his Kevin Hart-Mark Wahlberg comedy Me Time, Hamburg was cagey when asked if another Meet the Parents sequel could happen.
—
Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
Asked about plot details, Kendrick is cagey.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024
But the silver-haired Channel 36 weather forecaster is much cagier on the second question.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025
So Far Gone, one of that decade’s high watermarks of blog-era taste and jocking-for-beats curation, ramped up the transformation, getting cagier about the oversharing and locating a vulnerability that didn’t scan as corny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
Asked about plot details, Kendrick is cagey.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024
But the silver-haired Channel 36 weather forecaster is much cagier on the second question.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025
So Far Gone, one of that decade’s high watermarks of blog-era taste and jocking-for-beats curation, ramped up the transformation, getting cagier about the oversharing and locating a vulnerability that didn’t scan as corny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
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The interface is slick and easy to navigate, with options laid out in large, high-resolution tiles—a step up from the often-clunky screens found on traditional in-seat systems.—
Scott Campbell,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Apr. 2025
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Trunk scored the first run in Friday’s game, which was stopped in the bottom of the second inning due to rain and slick conditions.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Lu and experts predict that in tighter times, Americans will likely be more hesitant both to buy new clothes and to donate their old ones.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2025
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Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn aren't hesitant to throw down.—
Brianne Tracy,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Unlike Mitch McConnell, the taciturn and cunning leader at the time, Thune genuinely tried to answer questions.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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But what Neil is accused of is something well beyond cunning or perfidy or faithlessness, well beyond questionable morality.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But some patients there are reluctant to be tested for measles, limiting abilities to capture the full scale and epidemiology of the outbreak.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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Many corporate leaders have thus far been reluctant to openly criticize the Trump Administration's agenda.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage.—
Kara Franker,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
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His grousing is interrupted by some very cute uncle moments with Maria and Tommy’s son, Benji, then Joel takes off just as Tommy gets back.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Doctors prescribe it to ease symptoms of testosterone deficiency — among them weight gain, muscle loss and depression — but dubious clinics also sell the therapy as a cure-all for a crisis of masculinity.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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In his second term, the president has fewer people around him who try to keep dubious sources away.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Greg Hunt, the wily suitor of the late Tanya McQuoid.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, wily creators like Chaudhari will continue to stand on the shoulders of filmmakers like James Gunn and get billions of views by playing with AI immitations of their characters.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The shrewd 2025 gnome hunter hit the Augusta grounds long before The Masters’ opening round on Thursday.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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The moment was also a memorable part of TCU’s dramatic reversal in fortunes, catalyzed by donor investment, a shrewd hiring decision and an all-in approach to the transfer portal.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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