wary
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for wary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 wary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wary of
grow wary
remain wary
Etymology
From the adjective ware ("aware, cautious") plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Full origin of wary →Frequently asked questions
What does “wary” mean?
The word “wary” means cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems. In plain terms, on your guard; cautious because you suspect something might be wrong or risky.
How do you pronounce “wary”?
“Wary” is pronounced WEH-uh-ree (/ˈwɛɚ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “wary” in a sentence?
Here is “wary” used in a sentence: “Be wary of emails asking for your bank details.”
What is another word for “wary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wary” include cautious, guarded, careful and chary.
What part of speech is “wary”?
“Wary” is an adjective.
Is “wary” a common word?
“Wary” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between wary and cautious?
Wary emphasizes a heightened alertness to potential danger, deception, or problems, often based on suspicion of a specific person or situation. Cautious is broader and can simply describe careful behavior without implying distrust.
What preposition follows wary, wary of or wary about?
Wary is most commonly followed by "of," as in "wary of strangers" or "wary of the deal." "Wary about" also appears in usage but is less frequent than "wary of."
Is wary a formal word?
Wary is a standard, everyday adjective suitable for both formal and informal writing. It carries no particular register restriction and is common in news, conversation, and academic text alike.
