wary

wary — adjective

1. feeling or showing that you do not fully trust someone or something, often becau

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

feeling or showing that you do not fully trust someone or something, often because you sense possible danger or difficulty

Example

Haruto was <hl>wary</hl> of the bridge after part of it collapsed.

wary + of + noun for distrust of a physical object

The doctors grew <hl>wary</hl> of the device after it gave wrong results.

Common collocations
  • wary of
  • wary about
  • grow wary
  • remain wary
  • increasingly wary
  • deeply wary
Synonyms
  • cautious

    broader term; cautious can apply to any situation requiring care, without distrust

  • suspicious

    stronger negative connotation; implies belief that something is wrong or dishonest

  • leery

    informal equivalent of wary, common in everyday American speech

Antonyms
  • trusting

    opposite attitude; willing to believe without suspicion

  • unwary

    not cautious or alert; easily caught off guard

Grammar Patterns

be + wary + of + noun/gerund

become/grow + wary + of + noun/gerund

wary + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

Unlike 'careful', which can apply to any situation needing attention, 'wary' specifically implies that the caution comes from a sense of distrust or suspicion. Use 'wary' when hidden danger or dishonesty is the concern, not just general risk.

Common Mistakes

I am wary to try the new restaurant.
I am wary of trying the new restaurant.
'wary' is followed by 'of', not the to-infinitive.
She is wary the stranger.
She is wary of the stranger.
'wary' requires the preposition 'of' before the object of caution.

Word family

  • warily
    adverbB2
  • wariness
    nounC1
  • unwary
    adjectiveC1
  • beware
    verbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Wary suggests a lack of trust and watchful alertness based on a perceived threat or past negative experience. Cautious is broader, describing general care to avoid risks without necessarily suspecting dishonesty. Suspicious is stronger and more negative, implying a definite belief that something is wrong or that someone is dishonest. Leery is an informal synonym for wary, common in everyday American speech and carrying the same sense of distrust. Careful is the most general term of the four, focusing on attention to detail rather than distrust. For example: 'She was wary of the salesman's promises' suggests distrust; 'She was careful with her money' suggests general prudence.

cautious ↗suspicious ↗leerycareful ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • wary look
  • wary glance
  • wary eye
  • wary silence

Adverbs

  • increasingly wary
  • deeply wary
  • instinctively wary
  • naturally wary
  • rightly wary

Phrases

  • keep a wary eye on
  • remain wary of
  • grow wary of
  • become wary of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishProto-GermanicEnglish

Comes from the Old English word 'wær' meaning 'aware' or 'cautious'. It is closely related to the word 'beware' and to 'aware' itself. The modern form 'wary' developed by adding the '-y' suffix to the older 'ware', giving the sense of 'being in a state of watchfulness or on one's guard'.