Wariness

Wariness is a state of cautiousness or suspicion about potential dangers or problems. It involves being on guard against possible harm, deception, or unwanted outcomes. This feeling stems from past experiences or a sense of impending threat, leading individuals to carefully observe and assess situations before making decisions or taking action. It can manifest as a reluctance to trust, a tendency to scrutinize details, and a preparedness to avoid risks. This often involves a heightened awareness of one's surroundings and the motives of others.

Wariness meaning with examples

• The old detective's wariness served him well; he carefully examined the crime scene, refusing to overlook any details. This vigilance, born from years of experience, helped him connect seemingly unrelated clues and expose the true perpetrator, who had tried to feign innocence and leave misleading evidence.
• Her wariness regarding online dating profiles kept her from revealing personal information too quickly. She carefully vetted potential matches and prioritized meeting in public spaces, avoiding any situations that felt even remotely uncomfortable or potentially dangerous.
• Having been betrayed by her business partner, the entrepreneur developed a pronounced wariness toward new collaborations, always carefully scrutinizing contracts and verifying the background of prospective investors before taking action.
• The dog's initial wariness of the new puppy, the dog would growl at the sight, slowly gave way to cautious curiosity as it observed the pup. Soon, the dog, slowly, would start to accept that it was not a threat and even sniff around it.
• Following a series of product recalls, consumers displayed a clear wariness of the brand. The shoppers were very careful and did not buy the product, they carefully looked for other options, reading reviews and researching the company's reputation.