as in warning
serving as or offering a warning
the story of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the perils of wishing for something—you just might get it
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Recent Examples of cautionary
There was something beautifully redemptive and cautionary about it.
—
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
And for every disappointment, there’s also McIlroy, who serves as a beacon of hope and a cautionary tale.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Within Nanjiani’s so-so performance is a cautionary tale about Taskmaster’s recent casting methods and what this show both requires from, and owes to, its competitors.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
At a time when Waymo’s impressive success and the advent of AI have rekindled excitement about everything driverless, Monarch’s failure to disrupt has become another cautionary tale about massive bets on the latest tech.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
One of Miami’s oldest Black communities, Overtown is a cautionary tale and a resounding depiction of the resiliency.
—Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
However, the demise of a similar project in Serbia offers a cautionary tale.
—Zana Cimili, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Once celebrated as a breakthrough for Chinese AI startups taking on American rivals, Manus has become a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs looking to shed their Chinese image by relocating to countries such as Singapore.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Jouin saw the film as a bit of a cautionary tale.
—Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
And for every disappointment, there’s also McIlroy, who serves as a beacon of hope and a cautionary tale.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Within Nanjiani’s so-so performance is a cautionary tale about Taskmaster’s recent casting methods and what this show both requires from, and owes to, its competitors.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
At a time when Waymo’s impressive success and the advent of AI have rekindled excitement about everything driverless, Monarch’s failure to disrupt has become another cautionary tale about massive bets on the latest tech.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
One of Miami’s oldest Black communities, Overtown is a cautionary tale and a resounding depiction of the resiliency.
—Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
However, the demise of a similar project in Serbia offers a cautionary tale.
—Zana Cimili, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Once celebrated as a breakthrough for Chinese AI startups taking on American rivals, Manus has become a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs looking to shed their Chinese image by relocating to countries such as Singapore.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Jouin saw the film as a bit of a cautionary tale.
—Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautionary
warning
Adjective
-
The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.—
SCOTT SONNER,
Star Tribune,
27 July 2021
-
In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.—
Andrew Whitby,
Time,
17 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Cautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautionary. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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