warily
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of warily
Explanation
When you do things warily, you're cautious and concerned. Behaving warily is like treating the situation with kid gloves. There are a lot of things in life that should be approached warily — like bear cubs, for example. (Actually, they shouldn't be approached at all). Delivering bad news is done warily. People drive warily on ice, and they walk warily on ice, too. When you're acting warily — in other words, being wary — you're worried about what could happen, so you're careful and you take precautions.
Vocabulary lists containing warily
List 5
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Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam
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The Dragonet Prophecy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once, diplomatic counterparts who controlled huge sums were regarded warily by U.S. diplomats.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Investors are watching warily for any sign that Strategy might start doing so in large numbers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
As investors warily eye U.S. long-bond yields near 5%, another bout of fixed income angst could be about to rattle markets.
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
Californians must understand that there are long-term implications of borrowing to address challenges and warily approach future bond measures and other initiatives that tie the hands of policymakers today.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 27, 2026
I flipped open my notebook, glanced warily at Ms. Dalton, and began copying.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
