Synonyms for warily
Most common
cautiously gingerly carefully vigilantly suspiciously distrustfully
Synonyms by meaning
Adverb
1. Cautiously — in a careful and guarded manner, especially to avoid potential danger or harm
2. Skeptically — without trust; in a manner showing a lack of trust
skeptically US, sceptically UK, suspiciously, distrustfully
Definitions
- adv. 1
In a careful and guarded manner, especially to avoid potential danger or harm.
She walked through the dark alley, warily glancing around to make sure she wasn't being followed.
- adv. 2
Without trust; in a manner showing a lack of trust.
He listened to the salesman's pitch warily, sensing a potential scam.
Example sentences
- carefully Tom told Mary to listen carefully, but she didn't.
- cautiously The gazelle didn't appear to be walking cautiously.
- gingerly Tom cut a slice and sampled it gingerly.
- vigilantly Matthew's dog watched the robber vigilantly.
- suspiciously Neither Tom nor Mary has been acting suspiciously.
- distrustfully "Can you wash dishes right?" asked Marilla distrustfully.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| warily | rising | |
| carefully | steady | |
| cautiously | rising | |
| gingerly | rising | |
| vigilantly | rising | |
| suspiciously | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- gingerly3
- 9 letters
- carefully3, prudently3
- 10 letters
- cautiously3, vigilantly
- 11 letters
- skeptically4, sceptically
- 12 letters
- suspiciously4
- 13 letters
- distrustfully
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (gingerly3 = 3 syllables).