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
• 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
• 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

• permission
• green light
• OK
• go-ahead
• 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
• suggestion
• admonition
• recommendation
• admonishment
• alert
• heads-up
• alarm
• prediction
• notice
• informing
• announcement
• predicting
• prophecy
• forecasting
• guidance
• tip
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of caution

Verb

There will be no lifeguards, and county rangers caution that the beach, like many along the Northern California coast, can have rip currents that pose a threat to inexperienced swimmers. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

However, health professionals caution that the quality and source of breakfast protein matter just as much as the overall quantity. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

In that latter role, the liberal Wyman emerged as a voice of caution in the Democratic Party on the state’s unfunded liabilities for pensions and retiree health care. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026

But our research suggests that managers should treat the AI hype with caution. — Mark Ma, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026