Standard Lemma guide

warily

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: W EH1 R AH0 L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a careful and guarded manner, especially to avoid potential danger or harm.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She walked through the dark alley, warily glancing around to make sure she wasn't being followed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cautiously, vigilantly, carefully, prudently

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Without trust; in a manner showing a lack of trust.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He listened to the salesman's pitch warily, sensing a potential scam.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: suspiciously, distrustfully, skeptically

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a wary manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the sailor watched the sky warily

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: unwarily

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English wary Middle English -ly English -ly English warily From wary + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: внимателно (vnimatelno) — in a careful manner
  • Bulgarian: предпазливо (predpazlivo) — in a careful manner
  • German: misstrauisch — in a careful manner
  • German: argwöhnisch — in a careful manner
  • Latin: cautim — in a careful manner
  • Russian: осторо́жно (ostoróžno) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: осмотри́тельно (osmotrítelʹno) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: насторо́женно (nastoróženno) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: с опа́ской (s opáskoj) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: опа́сливо (opáslivo) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: опаса́ясь (opasájasʹ) — in a careful manner
  • Russian: недове́рчиво (nedovérčivo) — without trust
  • Russian: скепти́чески (skeptíčeski) — without trust
  • Russian: насторо́женно (nastoróženno) — without trust