wariness
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wariness
Explanation
Wariness is the characteristic of being very cautious or careful. It's smart to have certain amount of wariness when you approach a dog you don't know. Your wariness might cause you not to trust people when you first meet them — reserving judgment or waiting to see if they turn out to be reliable can both be evidence of wariness. Sometimes wariness is entirely appropriate, like when you move through a haunted house or handle a snake. The noun wariness comes from the adjective wary, or "cautious or careful," with its Old English root, wær, "prudent, aware, or alert."
Vocabulary lists containing wariness
"Laws are not the only way to boost immunization”: an editorial from Nature
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Every Day
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More Than a Dream
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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.
Wariness about China's intentions has only increased recently.
From Reuters • May 1, 2023
Wariness is understandable, the FTC alert said, but the information being sought serves a vital public purpose.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023
Wariness is the pose no matter where one travels in this state.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2020
Wariness of disruption is exacerbated by Cuba’s increasing economic dependence on the Cuban emigres and exiles once seen by the Communist government as a threat to its survival.
From Washington Times • Apr. 16, 2018
Wariness still seemed to crouch in the cool eyes of Flandrau.
From Crooked Trails and Straight by Hutchison, D. C.
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.
