Meaning & use
warily
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a careful way because you suspect possible danger or trouble.
Grammar: Goes with a verb of action or looking: he watched warily.
The dog approached the stranger warily.
She eyed the offer warily.
They crossed the icy lake warily.
adverbnot comparable
In a way that shows distrust or caution toward someone or something.
Grammar: Often used with verbs of speech or reaction.
Patterns
- warily of something
"Who are you?" she asked warily.
The investors listened warily to the promises.
He answered warily, unsure of the question's purpose.
Word forms
| comparative | more warily |
|---|---|
| superlative | most warily |
Common combinations
- eye warily
- The cat eyed the vacuum warily.
- watch warily
- He watched warily as the stranger came closer.
- approach warily
- They approached the old bridge warily.
- step warily
- She stepped warily onto the ice.
- glance warily
- He glanced warily at his boss.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cautiously
- Cautiously suggests carefulness to avoid harm, while warily suggests distrust of something specific.
- suspiciously
- Suspiciously suggests you believe wrongdoing, while warily only expects possible trouble.
- guardedly
- Guardedly suggests holding back what you say or reveal, while warily is about caution.
- carefully
- Carefully is neutral and does not suggest any fear or doubt.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: warily or wearily?
warily vs wearily
Wearily means in a tired way, while warily means in a cautious way.
Practice
The child stepped ___ toward the barking dog, ready to run.
Choose one answer.
Warily means cautiously because of possible danger, which fits a child ready to run. Wearily means tiredly, and hastily means in a hurry.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “warily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.