variants
also cagy
1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cagey
Joining another lab at her institution might be an option, but that would mean abandoning her main research interests, and other groups have also been cagey about funding.
—
Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Exceptions finally arrived with the emergence of Max Cervantes as slick and cagey defense lawyer Billy Flynn.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
On the bright side, this is one of those rare moments of transparency that is quite uncommon for a typically disciplined and cagey administration obsessed with controlling the narrative around the governor’s executive prowess.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
In May 1961, Welch alleged that a CBS reporter had used underhanded tactics to interview him against his wishes, resulting in footage that made the Birch leader look cagey and defensive.
—Time, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
Exceptions finally arrived with the emergence of Max Cervantes as slick and cagey defense lawyer Billy Flynn.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
On the bright side, this is one of those rare moments of transparency that is quite uncommon for a typically disciplined and cagey administration obsessed with controlling the narrative around the governor’s executive prowess.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
In May 1961, Welch alleged that a CBS reporter had used underhanded tactics to interview him against his wishes, resulting in footage that made the Birch leader look cagey and defensive.
—Time, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
-
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Data on how many of those belong to eligible voters is hard to come by, but CNN heard from more than a dozen voters who said they had been struck off the list and were unable to get back on due to unclear rules and reluctant local officials.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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The recent artificial intelligence boom and the investment required to develop it is also making companies reluctant to hire.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The clothes were cute, though, if not a little costumey.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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This adorable cloud pillow shows Harry’s iconic lightning bolt scar and is a seriously cute addition to any fan’s collection of memorabilia.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Few county shelters have kennels, and people sleeping outside are often hesitant to abandon their pets just to sleep in a bed for a few nights.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Austria, a European Union member with a policy of military neutrality, was initially hesitant to take such action but has recently expelled more Russian diplomats.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Major West Bank roads are lined with Israeli flags and slick new real estate billboards advertising affordable housing in settlements in Hebrew.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
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Find something a recruit is interested in and a picture of him, and AI can produce a (relatively) slick graphic pretty quickly.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
With Pluto turning retrograde in your 12th House of Reflection, patterns, habits, or emotional cycles may come into focus in subtle but meaningful ways.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
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Now, there’s no mention of Eugenie’s extended family, just a subtle but clear message about their connection to the King and no one else.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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