Synonyms of caution

caution 1 of 2

verb

as in to warn

to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk

the doctor cautioned that I should still be careful using my sprained wrist for the next several days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• warn
• alert
• advise
• forewarn
• inform
• wake
• predict
• forecast
• admonish
• notify
• prophesy
• prognosticate
• presage
• apprise
• tip (off)
• foretell
• augur
• harbinger
• bode
• portend
• forbode
• foreshadow
• forebode
• foretoken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• risk
• imperil

caution

2 of 2

noun

ˈkȯ-shən 

1

as in prudence

a close attentiveness to avoiding danger

the extreme caution with which the zookeeper handled the snake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudence
• carefulness
• care
• circumspection
• cautiousness
• attentiveness
• wariness
• alertness
• vigilance
• guardedness
• watchfulness
• observance
• heedfulness
• chariness
• gingerliness
• foresight
• calculation
• providence
• deliberation
• shrewdness
• deliberateness
• foresightedness
• canniness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carelessness
• recklessness
• heedlessness
• brashness
• suddenness
• rashness
• hastiness
• abruptness
• impetuousness
• incaution
• incautiousness
• thoughtlessness
• unwariness
• inconsideration
• inconsiderateness
• precipitousness

2

as in wonder

something extraordinary or surprising

how she manages to drive her car without destroying the neighborhood is a caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wonder
• miracle
• marvel
• phenomenon
• prodigy
• sensation
• beauty
• portent
• splendor
• flash
• curiosity
• spectacle
• sight
• crackajack
• appearance
• apparition
• knockout
• crackerjack
• dandy
• jim-dandy
• corker

3

as in warning

something that tells of approaching danger or risk

this is just a caution that the following paragraph practically gives away the entire plot of the movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• all clear

4

as in advice

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

we heeded the police officer's caution about the road ahead

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

5

as in precaution

a measure taken to preclude loss or injury

the standard caution of donning surgical gloves before performing any kind of dental work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• precaution
• preventive
• safeguard
• palladium
• protection
• fail-safe
• wall
• shield
• screen
• ward
• armor
• guard
• cover

Examples of caution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And Chery cautions against forgetting about Eminem’s Death of Slim Shady. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2024

And in October, a researcher for TD Cowen cautioned that Fairshake’s campaign against Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown could anger the party and lead them to delay any crypto legislation until 2026. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

Its decision to forgo an immediate response to the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, in late July, suggested a degree of caution and continued interest in avoiding a wider regional war. —Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2024

Out of an abundance of caution, these items are considered hazardous waste and are disposed of properly. —Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024