GUN-SHY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gun-shy

adjective

Definition of gun-shy

as in wary

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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 Of all the studios, Warner perhaps has the best reason to be gun-shy. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 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 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

Adjective

People connected to Democratic fundraising tell CNBC some major donors remain wary after Harris’ 2024 presidential defeat.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Drivers have learned to be wary of instructions from mapping apps.

— Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 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

The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Feigenbaum offered a more cautious interpretation, describing some of the violent perpetrators as fringe provocateurs who exploit broader demonstrations without necessarily directing them.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Democratic congressional candidates will also need to be careful about balancing partisan messages to their base with more measured appeals to independent voters.

— Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
But perhaps the biggest challenge of all was being extremely careful not to pass moral judgment on the story or any of the characters being portrayed.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The conservative-majority Supreme Court has been skeptical of environmental regulations in the past, including in a 2022 decision limiting the EPA's authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
And while The Atlantic has published largely skeptical coverage of major AI companies and their products’ impact on society, Thompson’s tone, in his podcasts and LinkedIn posts, has been more optimistic.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 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

While CIOs and CTOs have been keeping a watchful eye on rogue AI agents from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major AI labs, within enterprises, the bet on these autonomous systems is only getting bigger.

— John Kell, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son Barrett, entered a not guilty plea under the watchful eye of her husband, whom she is accused of attempting to poison.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of watchful

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gunshots

gun-shy

gurgle

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“Gun-shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gun-shy. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gun-shy

adjective

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