Wary vs. Leery

Waryadjective

Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent.

‘He is wary of dogs.’;

Leeryadjective

Cautious, suspicious, wary, hesitant, or nervous about something; having reservations or concerns.

‘Since he was bitten by a dog when he was young, he has always been leery of animals.’;

Waryadjective

Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.

Leeryadjective

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

Waryadjective

Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful.

‘We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men.’;

Waryadjective

Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.

‘It behoveth our words to be wary and few.’;

Waryadjective

marked by keen caution and watchful prudence;

‘they were wary in their movements’; ‘a wary glance at the black clouds’; ‘taught to be wary of strangers’;

Waryadjective

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide