warily

[wair-uh-lee]

adverb

1. in a wary manner.

Other Word Forms

• overwarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of warily¹

First recorded in 1545–55; wary + -ly

Example Sentences

Since that shaky start, the truce remained in place on Wednesday, even as both sides warily eyed each other and threatened to restart military action if needed.

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With Trump on the warpath against EVs, buyers and sellers in California watch warily as he tries to dismantle Biden-era incentives that supported the industry.

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On a farm about 45 minutes outside of Houston, a one-eyed horse stared warily at a man who had no business near a barn, livestock or hay.

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In Mexico, news of Johnson’s nomination was greeted warily, with many seeing a clear signal of the Trump administration’s intended, narrow focus.

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In the midst of the scramble for a new Syria, the country's musicians are warily eyeing the Islamist rebel leadership and hoping to build on hard-won achievements made during the almost 14-year civil war.

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Related Words

• carefully 
• cautiously