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 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 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 His recent comments paint a picture of a gun-shy quarterback hesitant to throw the ball downfield. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gun-shy
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
  • Haugen is wary of entering a 10- to 15-year lock up at high interest rates.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The president lost in court, but Democrats are still wary of mail-in voting as the midterm election approaches.
    — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • Investors have grown leery of how much growth is being driven by companies in the artificial intelligence race.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of leery
Adjective
  • Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Along with potentially leeching microplastics into your food, plastic food storage containers absorb stains, odors, and flavors, and many require careful hand-washing to prevent them from warping.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Gallery visitors were careful not to step on the sprawling assemblage of photographs, drawings and artifacts scattered across the floor.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Progressives like Melat Kiros have signaled their votes for Jeffries might be up for grabs unless their leadership embraces more left-leaning policies, but most Democrats are skeptical about major defections.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Gabriel, however, is more skeptical, arguing that infrastructure carries the incentives of the model that built it, making a brand with less influence likely to struggle to resist a parent company oriented around speed, efficiency, and growth.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The women recognize each other from group therapy and immediately are distrustful of one another.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of distrustful
Adjective
  • Under the watchful direction of director Brenda Porter, who is also the artistic director for Impact Theater, the cast is fine-tuning the drama.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Eufy Indoor Security Camera Deal Keep a watchful eye on your pets and living space with the dual-lens Eufy S350 4K Indoor Security Camera.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of watchful
Adjective
  • But these bots are still a show-me story while concerns mount about online privacy and cybersecurity.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 22 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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