Entry Word: caution

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a close attentiveness to avoiding danger <the extreme caution with which the zookeeper handled the snake>

Synonyms alertness, care, carefulness, cautiousness, circumspection, heedfulness, wariness

Related Words attentiveness, chariness, vigilance, watchfulness; foresight, foresightedness, providence; calculation, canniness, deliberateness, deliberation, shrewdness

Near Antonyms abruptness, hastiness, impetuousness, precipitousness, rashness, suddenness; inconsideration, thoughtlessness

Antonyms brashness, carelessness, heedlessness, incautiousness, recklessness, unwariness

2 something extraordinary or surprising <how she manages to drive her car without destroying the neighborhood is a caution> — see wonder 1
3 something that tells of approaching danger or risk <this is just a caution that the following paragraph practically gives away the plot of the entire movie> — see warning 2
4 the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk <we heeded the police officerʼs caution about the road ahead> — see warning 1