gun-shy

adjective

ˈgən-ˌshī How to pronounce gun-shy (audio)
Synonyms of gun-shynext
1
: afraid of loud noise (such as that of a gun)
2
: markedly distrustful, afraid, or cautious

Examples of gun-shy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
City staff members and officials remain a little gun-shy, Hazeltine said. — Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 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 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 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

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gun-shy was in 1848

Rhymes for gun-shy

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Browse Nearby Words

gunshot
gun-shy
gunsight
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Cite this Entry

“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gun-shy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gun-shy

adjective
-ˌshī
1
: afraid of loud noise (as that of a gun)
2
: being distrustful, afraid, or cautious

More from Merriam-Webster on gun-shy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gun-shy

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