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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of warning
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Search for reviews, warnings, and official announcements.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Albert Ramon, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Airports have already begun warning travelers to expect longer wait times.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warning
Noun
The warning follows a similar one issued by Germany in February, saying that unidentified hackers were trying to phish high-profile Signal users in German military and politics.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Search for reviews, warnings, and official announcements.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 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
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
—Albert Ramon, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Airports have already begun warning travelers to expect longer wait times.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for warning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning
Noun
-
Motorists should use extra caution.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Over time, that turns cooperation into caution.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Iran war intensified as Washington and Tehran focused their attention on the Strait of Hormuz and showed little sign of easing their aerial campaigns.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s water everywhere, approach angles that punish the wrong side of the fairway, and a closing stretch with a long history of turning good rounds into cautionary tales.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
However, sources told The Times that advisory was cautionary and not backed by credible intelligence.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Day and night, smartphones deliver a tone, piercing enough to start dogs trembling, alerting us to incoming missiles or drones.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Before going to bed, Annie forwarded me an email from our bank alerting us that a card had been declined.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than a forewarning, the project is an open invitation into the Texan’s sonic world, drawing on elements from an array of genres.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
According to Davidson, the BAFTAs did give the crowd some forewarning about his tics.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nothing gives me a goosebump more than watching the red light come on before the ball goes in.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone captured running a red light during that time will receive a warning notice in the mail but will not be fined.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And while the formal rules on travel have relaxed, the admonitory official language is unchanged.—
John Liu,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2023
-
Satire has always had an admonitory function, and besides, some people are so obnoxious that a writer has to slow-walk the reader through their awfulness.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2022
Verb
-
The airport was advising passengers to arrive four to five hours before their flights but reduced the recommendation to three to four hours Monday night.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports these recommendations, advising that children as young as 1 can benefit from swimming lessons, depending on their emotional and physical development.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
