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Definitions

gingerly

[jin-jer-lee] / ˈdʒɪn dʒər li /
ADJECTIVE
careful
Synonyms
WEAK
calculating cautious chary circumspect considerate dainty delicate discreet fastidious guarded hesitant reluctant safe squeamish suspicious timid wary
Antonyms
WEAK
careless rash rough uncareful uncautious
ADVERB
carefully
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cautiously delicately discreetly hesitantly reluctantly safely timidly warily
WEAK
charily circumspectly daintily fastidiously guardedly squeamishly suspiciously
Antonyms
WEAK
carelessly rashly roughly uncarefully uncautiously

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After saving two break points at the start of the deciding set, Raducanu was broken again as she gingerly failed to chase down a drop shot, before calling out the trainer.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Jokic was slow to rise and walked gingerly to the sideline but stayed in the game.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Gradually and gingerly, party lines are being crossed in the House and Senate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Near the middle of the fourth quarter, he lost a fumble and got hit so hard he lay on the ground for several moments before teammates gingerly helped him to his feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

He gingerly touched his swollen lip and let out a pent-up breath.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai