variants
also cagy
1
as in slick
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 hesitant
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
Examples Sentences
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 cagey
The Schuyler sisters provide the most beautiful voices in the production, with Krystal Joy Brown offering a poignant Eliza, and Mandy Gonzalez a smart and cagey Angelica.
—
Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Feb. 2020
Cote and Mark were pretty cagey when asked if Michael will be back.
—Megan Stein, Country Living, 7 Jan. 2020
Quarterback Drew Lock looked like a cagey veteran and not a first-time NFL road starter, completing 22 of his 27 attempts for 309 yards and three touchdowns.
—Ryan O’Halloran, The Denver Post, 8 Dec. 2019
Mia is transformed from a cagey lone wolf into a woman with unlimited intense sympathy for another.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for cagey 
Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Feb. 2020
Cote and Mark were pretty cagey when asked if Michael will be back.
—Megan Stein, Country Living, 7 Jan. 2020
Quarterback Drew Lock looked like a cagey veteran and not a first-time NFL road starter, completing 22 of his 27 attempts for 309 yards and three touchdowns.
—Ryan O’Halloran, The Denver Post, 8 Dec. 2019
Mia is transformed from a cagey lone wolf into a woman with unlimited intense sympathy for another.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for cagey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cagey
Adjective
-
The system is expected to continue into the Northeast by Christmas Eve, with potential travel disruptions due to slick roads, especially along the Interstate 95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
-
In the movie, Burns' character, a slick Hollywood film composer, admits to cheating on Diaz's character Amanda because of her emotional unavailability.Gillian Telling, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The incident report states the victim is uncooperative and was hesitant to press charges or speak about this case.Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
-
While DeYoung is hesitant to give too much away, fans of Robinson's work can probably imagine how this budding friendship turns sour.Mike Miller, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Finally, and most importantly, a competitive culture will reinforce a mindset essential to countering the cunning and ambitious threats in space.Charles Beames, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Amid a deadly winter, survival transforms into a perilous game of cunning and betrayal.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And the Giants have already signed free agent infielder Willy Adames and locked up third baseman Matt Chapman with a six-year, $151 million contract, so may be reluctant to meet Burnes' asking price.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
-
The question is whether that is an achievable task in January, an awkward market in which many clubs are reluctant to sell and some players are cautious about moving.James McNicholas, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Pokémon Horizons Netflix Pokémon is the biggest media franchise on the planet, and for good reason — it's got over 1000 cute little creatures to be friends with, some solid themes of friendship and striving to be your best, and strong character work across the franchise.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Far from just being cute animals featured on internet memes, alpacas are the rising stars of the natural fibers world, boasting several highly appealing qualities such as being soft, light, and hypoallergenic, as well as odor-resistant, antimicrobial, and moisture-wicking.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And at the Christmas party, with the flow of dubious punch, (that no one in their right mind would serve at any other time of the year), after about 9 or 10 p.m., the man hugging becomes a competitive sport.Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
-
Though dubious in concept, the effect is peculiarly, if superficially, enticing.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Set in the world of tabloid journalism, the Paparazzo follows an opportunistic outcast who needs fast cash to help his ailing mother and decides to partner with a wily paparazzo.Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Genghis Khan and his Silk Road Mongols, wily prospectors leading gold-rush donkeys, living tiki towers being climbed by monkeys.Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The Kraken pounced quickly and have made a shrewd gamble here.Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Wang, a shrewd negotiator, is known for taking her time before striking deals.Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cagey
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share