1
Core quality
Cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
Example
Researchers were wary of drawing conclusions from one trial.
wary
/ˈweəri/ · WAIR-eeadjective
Cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
Use wary to express this relationship precisely: cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
What wary Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Residents remained wary of the unexplained promise.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The animal is wary but not aggressive.
Use wary Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Researchers were wary of drawing conclusions from one trial.
Residents remained wary of the unexplained promise.
The animal is wary but not aggressive.
Precision Matters
Wary overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
wary
vs.Means cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
gullible
Means easily persuaded to believe false claims or easily deceived.
wary
vs.Means cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
avid
Means having or showing intense enthusiasm, eagerness, or interest in something.
wary
vs.Means cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
spontaneous
Means occurring naturally or suddenly without prior planning or external prompting.
wary
vs.Means cautious, watchful, and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
incredulous
Means unwilling or unable to believe something; showing strong disbelief.
Test wary in Context
The historian is cautious and watchful because deception is possible.
1
After encountering several forged documents, the historian became ___ of unsigned letters.