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
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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
Example Sentences
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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
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The first storm started to take shape Wednesday afternoon over the central Mississippi Valley and brought slick conditions to parts of the region.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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However, some elevated roadways, particularly bridges, are expected to be slick throughout the day, posing a hazard to drivers.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However, the countries on his itinerary have largely been very cooperative with the administration so far, as other countries in the region Rubio will skip over remain hesitant to comply.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
1 Feb. 2025
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Others may also be hesitant to accept an ADHD diagnosis and take medications that may help, Manos said.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Coyotes often mate for life and are good parents, a contradiction to popular culture’s idea of the desert wolf as mischievous and cunning villain.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
-
There are 12 zodiac animals in Chinese astrology, and people born in the year of the snake are considered intelligent, strategic, and cunning deep thinkers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Forced into a violent arena where the victor is celebrated as a hero, Sammy becomes the reluctant protagonist in a brutal spectacle that pushes the boundaries of morality and endurance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2025
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Till then, the always-in-hot-water antics of CIA attorney/reluctant spy Owen Hendricks (Centineo) keep us engaged and curious over how the troublemaking rascal is going to get out of another mess he’s made.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
How to Mix Metals in Your Home: 5 Tips to Decorate With Metals Flawlessly Bring on the Stripes Stripes are undeniably a big part of the fisherman aesthetic, but don’t get cute about it, warns Jahan.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
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The bar and restaurant, known for its cute patio, scratch kitchen and large whiskey selection, made a slow comeback after the pandemic but seemed to be on stabler footing lately.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The vast majority of meme coins launched are dubious.—
Maximilian Brichta,
The Conversation,
30 Jan. 2025
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Many contained alcohol, cocaine, morphine, or other active ingredients that ranged from dubious to dangerous.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ladbroke's, in London…The Committee, a smart little group who do a revue of often funny, frozen improvisations, smashing head-on into politics…The wily, eighteenth-century satirist.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2025
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Film Starring Daisy Ridley Lands 'Bourne Ultimatum' Writer George Nolfi The city’s grim reaper here is La Flaca (Saray Rebolledo), a wily and seductive Black woman who spends her days at a dive bar called Babel.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The proposal was met with a mixed reaction — while some dismissed it as outlandish, others saw it as a shrewd geopolitical move.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Netanyahu used his relationship with Russia to his advantage domestically, touting his close ties with Putin in his 2019 election campaign to demonstrate his credentials as a shrewd actor on the global stage.—
Nicole Grajewski,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cagey
Cite this Entry
“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cagey. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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