Leery

Leery describes a feeling of cautious suspicion about someone or something. It implies a distrust, or a lack of confidence, often stemming from previous experience or a general sense of unease. A Leery person is wary, hesitant, and inclined to avoid potential risk or deception. This guarded attitude often manifests as skepticism and a reluctance to readily trust or believe. It's akin to having a gut feeling that something isn't quite right.

Leery meaning with examples

• After the unexpected business deal soured, Sarah became Leery of any new investment opportunity, carefully scrutinizing every detail before considering another venture.
• The detective was Leery of the witness's evasive answers, suspecting they were concealing vital information about the crime that had taken place.
• Having been previously scammed online, the customer was Leery about clicking any unfamiliar links and carefully verified the website's authenticity.
• The experienced hiker was Leery of the weather forecast predicting a sudden storm, opting to delay their climb until conditions improved significantly.
• John, once burned by a dishonest colleague, was Leery when his new coworker was overly eager to join his team and offered some strange gifts.