caution 1 of 2

Definition of cautionnext
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

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1
2
as in wonder
something extraordinary or surprising how she manages to drive her car without destroying the neighborhood is a caution

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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

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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

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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 caution
Verb
Evans also cautioned against confusing maximal lifespan for a healthy lifespan. Lauren Chan, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026 But some experts still caution against assuming that Iran's economy is facing imminent collapse. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
In November 2022, for example, the core stage of a Chinese Long March 5B rocket fell to Earth in an uncontrolled reentry over Spain, prompting multiple airspace closures out of caution. Brett Tingley, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Built In One Of The World’s Toughest Markets Japan’s reputation for caution is misread, Ooi says. Jurin Ai Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for caution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caution
Verb
  • Although Ukraine first warned that North Korean troops were using attack drones on their territory last October, this is the first indication the new wave of troops will have this capability.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the GOP’s Senate campaign arm, warned in a memo this week that backlash to the centers has left Husted vulnerable.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • What looks like prudence to one side can look like over-caution to the other.
    Abdulrahman Hammad, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In those conditions, United’s prudence makes financial sense.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mistruths, false claims, scams, and other deceptive efforts are tricking people into thinking that a watermark removal app will do wonders, whereas the reality is that the results are at best half-mixed or aimed to cause damage.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sustained dry heating works wonders, killing eggs as well as adult bedbugs.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Despite a series of warnings from the security system, the suspects continued.
    Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers found cloned piracy sites displaying fake browser warnings.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The incident comes as Colorado experiences a sharp increase in bear activity fueled by poor natural food conditions, prompting officials to urge people to take extra precautions during the busy late-summer season.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Right guard Trey Smith missed multiple practices with a hip injury and was sent to a specialist as a precaution, forcing Benson to shift inside while Moore moved to right tackle, Sweeney reported on Day 9.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • During the investigation, police were alerted to two shooting victims who had walked into area hospitals, including Chance.
    Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors also accused Robinson's attorneys of relying on case law that was later rejected by the Utah Supreme Court while failing to alert the judge to those later decisions.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This carefulness is clearly strategic.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • There was no carefulness in it.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • By the time the snowfall melts, Rukumba is no longer a community but a collection of competing interests each convinced the miracle belongs to them.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
  • History is against Australia flipping this game on its head and claiming a miracle victory.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caution. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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