gun-shy

adjective

Definition of gun-shynext
as in wary

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gun-shy The Guardians, typically stealthy and deliberate and gun-shy and sometimes patient and risk-averse to a fault, certainly shot their shot. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 But the specter of political consequences has officials in Miami feeling gun-shy about taking a public stance that could incite the wrath of the state and federal governments. — Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026 City staff members and officials remain a little gun-shy, Hazeltine said. — Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025 The writers gave The X-Files an award back in 1996 when the overall Academy was gun-shy about voting for it in Outstanding Drama. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2025 Underneath the puns and pumps was a dress-down of the rom-com that ultimately told the story of a woman who fell in love, came out worse, and became gun-shy. — Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 30 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gun-shy
  1. wary
  2. leery
  3. cautious
  4. careful
  5. skeptical
  6. distrustful
  7. watchful
  8. show-me
Adjective
  • The decision suggests the companies believe that foreign investors remain wary of putting new money into the kingdom’s stock exchange, and will likely put off other firms planning IPOs in the short term.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Koreans are wary of methods to turn housing wealth into cash.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • Bessent could face credibility challenges from a market already growing skeptical and leery of the challenges Treasurys are facing.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Initially, the trio looked to open in New York, but Didry was leery of setting up shop in a city saturated with French bakeries.
    — Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of leery
Adjective
  • But Azizi warned that adding economic pressure will not necessarily make Iran more cautious, especially if Tehran sees it as unsustainable.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Be cautious about sharing personal information with an unexpected caller.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Getting to that point required careful control of stress during fabrication.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Huntsinger, playing along with Variety’s should-win/will-win Emmy prediction game, drew a careful line.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • And given their preference for rocky environments over sandy lagoons and the crabs’ reproductive prowess, fishermen and experts alike are skeptical.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The early sales reps who thrived on instinct and relationships start selling into a market that’s crowded, educated and skeptical.
    — Doug May, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • When the community is hostile toward or distrustful of a particular minority group, police may feel that discriminatory behavior toward that group is justified.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of distrustful
Adjective
  • Views extend to the valley of the Kosi River on one side and the Binsar Forest on the other, all under the watchful gaze of the upper Himalayas, including the divine Nanda Devi peak.
    — Jasreen Mayal Khanna, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Located at the very north end of Napa Valley, the winery has changed hands a few times but today it is owned by Jackson Family Wines and is under the watchful eye of Barbara Banke and her children.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of watchful
Adjective
  • Salesforce remains a show-me story, but the rally demonstrates how quickly sentiment can change once expectations get low enough for good news to matter.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
  • With respect to Norvell and his players, observers are in show-me mode.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of show-me

Browse Nearby Words

gunshots
gun-shy
gurgle
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Cite this Entry

“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun-shy. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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