leery

adjective

variants also leary
Definition of leerynext
Enter your own sentence containing leery , and get words to replace it.
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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leery The Canucks, however, are leery about such a valuation to this point. — Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025 To an already leery viewer, Meghan lacking the openness and vulnerability that would allow a naysayer to connect with and change their opinion of her doesn’t help. — Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 But judging from some of the commentary online, passengers are confused and perhaps leery of hopping on an airplane. — Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 20 Feb. 2025 Nevertheless, plenty of people are understandably leery of the idea of a needle being jabbed into their spine without fully understanding where exactly that needle goes, or how the drugs administered during the procedure are supposed to work. — Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leery
  1. wary
  2. cautious
  3. skeptical
Adjective
  • That might mean that a recession caused by the Trump administration's tariff policy would actually drive adoption of artificial intelligence by companies that have so far been wary of the tech.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Subject to partisan litmus tests, military leaders might be wary of offering advice that contradicts the administration’s priorities.
    — Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • At times, that can mean there’s reason to be optimistic or perhaps to be cautious about a hot start.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • This is another reason to be cautious about forecasting tariff impacts.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of skeptical

Browse Nearby Words

leers (at)
leery
lees
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Cite this Entry

“Leery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leery. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of leery for Spanish Speakers

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