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 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
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
  • But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • DeSantis was also leery of the task force that the bill set up to study and make recommendations for further electric-bicycle regulations.
    — Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
  • DeSantis was also leery of the task force the bill set up to study and make recommendations for further electric bicycle regulations.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Definition of leery
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • When Axsome went public in 2015, Wall Street was skeptical and the company’s stock puttered along under $10 for years.
    — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Contrary to what the public has been led to believe, America’s Founding Fathers were skeptical and anxious about democracy.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Rob-Will has the support of his adoring wildchild daughter, Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind), but not of openly distrustful Rip, who gave the gun-toting Rob-Will that punch felt around the Dutton universe in their gas station first meeting.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • This complicated web of lies, betrayals, and cover-ups leads her to be distrustful.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Definition of distrustful
Adjective
  • Wildlife enthusiasts find a different rhythm through AmaWaterways’ Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises, one that trades itinerary sprinting for long, watchful hours on the water.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
  • Cruz is alluring and watchful, while Norton turns out to be the film’s secret weapon.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of watchful
Adjective
  • Cape Cod and Kettle chips are show-me stories.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The market is in a ‘show-me’ phase, anticipating demonstrable results from the record backlog before the balance sheet deteriorates.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Mar. 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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