leery
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for leery, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Cautious or suspicious about something, unwilling to fully trust it.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use leery
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
leery of
grow leery
Informal — common in speech, less so in formal writing.
Etymology
First recorded in the early 1700s, likely built from "leer" (a sly, sideways look) plus the adjective ending -y.
Full origin of leery →Frequently asked questions
What does “leery” mean?
The word “leery” means cautious or suspicious about something, unwilling to fully trust it. In plain terms, wary or distrustful, holding back because something feels off.
How do you pronounce “leery”?
“Leery” is pronounced LEER-ree (/ˈlɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “leery” in a sentence?
Here is “leery” used in a sentence: “I'm leery of investments that promise guaranteed high returns.”
What part of speech is “leery”?
“Leery” is an adjective.
Where does the word “leery” come from?
The word “leery” dates back to around 1700. First recorded in the early 1700s, likely built from "leer" (a sly, sideways look) plus the adjective ending -y.
