Synonyms of warning

warning 1 of 3

noun

ˈwȯr-niŋ 

1

as in caution

the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk

she delivered a strict warning that anyone who was caught stealing would be fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• caution
• forewarning
• alert
• advice
• recommendation
• admonition
• admonishment
• suggestion
• heads-up
• alarm
• notice
• prediction
• announcement
• informing
• predicting
• prophecy
• notification
• forecasting
• declaration
• guidance
• premonition
• tip
• notifying
• prophesying
• foretelling
• presaging
• augury
• auguring
• tip-off
• prognosticating
• counsel
• apprising

2

as in sign

something that tells of approaching danger or risk

the ominously darkening sky was a warning that a tornado was approaching

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sign
• red light
• caution
• red flag
• handwriting on the wall
• tip-off
• tocsin
• notification
• signal
• indicator
• wake-up call
• premonition
• omen
• portent
• declaration
• notice
• announcement
• presage
• buoy
• foretaste
• knell
• foretoken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permission
• green light
• OK
• go-ahead
• all clear

warning

2 of 3

adjective

as in cautionary

serving as or offering a warning

usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautionary
• admonitory
• admonishing
• premonitory
• punitive
• monitory
• cautioning
• exemplary
• advisory
• didactic
• moralistic
• moralizing
• counseling
• punishing

warning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of warn

as in alerting

to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk

the lifeguard warned the boys that if they continued playing so rough, someone was sure to get hurt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alerting
• advising
• cautioning
• informing
• forewarning
• waking
• predicting
• admonishing
• notifying
• forecasting
• prophesying
• foretelling
• presaging
• apprising
• prognosticating
• tipping (off)
• auguring
• foreshadowing
• harbingering
• foreboding
• portending
• boding
• foretokening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• risking
• imperiling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of warning

Noun

Officials ordered about 42,000 people to evacuate their homes, and another 40,000 were placed under evacuation warnings and urged to leave the area. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

For updates and details of the evacuation, including warning areas, see the Washoe County emergency website (Nevada) or the Genasys Protect map (California). — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

The Harford County Health Department is warning its residents that a groundhog tested positive for rabies in the area. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

But the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters have steadfastly opposed the merger, warning about its potential impact on working writers and film crews. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026