chary

/ˈcher-ē/

Middle English charri "sorrowful, dear, cherished," going back to Old English cearig "troubled, troublesome, taking care," going back to Germanic *karaga- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German karag "sorrowful"), from *karō "sorrow, worry" + *-aga-, by-form of *-iga-

adjective

  1. discreetly cautious: such as

  2. hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks

  3. slow to grant, accept, or expend

a government chary of getting involved in foreign entanglements

cautious circumspect wary chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk. cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger. circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.