wariness

American  

[wair-ee-nis] / ˈwɛər i nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being wary.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overwariness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of wariness

First recorded in 1545–55; wary + -ness

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."

Example Sentences

“The gap between these two figures suggests IPO investors are, on the whole, expressing a healthy wariness toward newly public companies, with a handful of standout winners accounting for most of the gains,” said Rabe.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

But Etchells said despite his wariness about this, the Age of Autopilot report is useful in suggesting people may be growing more aware of their phone habits.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Motivated by price, convenience, a desire for anonymity, or wariness of interacting with a clinician, some patients buy medication online from a number of online vendors selling drugs manufactured in India.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

But "lawmakers are not fooled", said Iteanu, as enthusiasm for AI has not dispelled public wariness about its potential consequences.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Yearning and wariness and hopefulness and love . . . does Molly really see all this on Sarah’s face, or is she projecting?

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Related Words

• alertness
• vigilance