variants
also leary
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leery
Some Europeans are becoming leery of visiting the U.S., as reports of U.S. immigration authorities detaining them while traveling, for reasons that are not clear, swirl.
—
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Upper-chamber Democrats are leery of blocking the bill, writes The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, fearing that a shutdown may backfire by giving Musk and the Trump administration more leverage to force federal workers into retirement.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025
Many crypto industry leaders, as well as some members of Congress, are leery of the government holding something so risky.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Polis, a Democrat, was leery of the stronger version of the bill but is now expected to sign it, said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors.
—The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leery
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Upper-chamber Democrats are leery of blocking the bill, writes The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, fearing that a shutdown may backfire by giving Musk and the Trump administration more leverage to force federal workers into retirement.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025
Many crypto industry leaders, as well as some members of Congress, are leery of the government holding something so risky.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Polis, a Democrat, was leery of the stronger version of the bill but is now expected to sign it, said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors.
—The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
Adjective
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That might mean that a recession caused by the Trump administration's tariff policy would actually drive adoption of artificial intelligence by companies that have so far been wary of the tech.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2025
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Subject to partisan litmus tests, military leaders might be wary of offering advice that contradicts the administration’s priorities.—
Risa Brooks,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With momentum building after the Oman meeting and market signals showing cautious optimism, the next session could determine whether diplomacy gains traction or stalls once again amid long-standing mistrust.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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The tariffs are top of mind for auto dealerships, many of which are taking a cautious wait-and-see approach.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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