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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leery
She’s perfected her travel routine Like any typical traveler, Fatu is leery of sharing her space with strangers and leaving her immune system at the mercy of an airline cleaning crew.
—
Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
When the two talked, Doumbia was leery of just about anybody.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
The costs associated with owning a condo may have prospective buyers feeling leery.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 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
See All Example Sentences for leery
Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
When the two talked, Doumbia was leery of just about anybody.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
The costs associated with owning a condo may have prospective buyers feeling leery.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 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
See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
Adjective
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While some swear by the cleaning product for disinfecting their dishwasher, others may be wary and opt for something different.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
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Those in disaster-prone states, such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in Florida, hold a pessimistic view of FEMA and are wary of affording it greater power.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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While there's no way to know who will have a reaction to the stings, Suiter says that anyone who carries an Epipen for other stinging insects should be exceptionally cautious.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
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Protect kids, whose skin is especially sensitive to UV damage Be cautious around water and sand, which reflect UV rays and increase exposure Check the UV index in your area for real-time guidance on sun safety To see the entire 2025 Annual Guide to Sunscreens report, click here.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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It will be decided on by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that has been skeptical of considerations of race in public life.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
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These regions were often skeptical of centralized power, and reformers pushed for tools like the initiative and referendum to give citizens a way to bypass political machines and corporate influence.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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