caution

1 a close attentiveness to avoiding danger the extreme caution with which the zookeeper handled the snake Synonyms alertness, care, carefulness, cautiousness, chariness, circumspection, gingerliness, guardedness, heedfulness, prudence, wariness Related Words attentiveness, observance, vigilance, watchfulness; foresight, foresightedness, providence; calculation, canniness, deliberateness, deliberation, shrewdness Near Antonyms abruptness, hastiness, impetuousness, precipitousness, rashness, suddenness; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness Antonyms brashness, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, recklessness, unwariness

2 something extraordinary or surprising how she manages to drive her car without destroying the neighborhood is a caution Synonyms wonder, flash, marvel, miracle, phenomenon, portent, prodigy, sensation, splendorRelated Words curiosity, sight, spectacle; beauty, corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, knockout; apparition, appearance

3 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 warning, red flag, red light, tip-off, tocsin, wake-up callRelated Words omen, portent, premonition, presage; notice, notification; buoy, indicator, knell, sign, signal; foretaste, foretoken; announcement, declarationNear Antonyms all clear

4 the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk we heeded the police officer's caution about the road ahead Synonyms admonishment, admonition, alarm (also alarum), alert, warning, forewarning, heads-up, noticeRelated Words auguring, augury, forecasting, foretelling, predicting, prediction, premonition, presaging, prognosticating, prophecy (also prophesy), prophesying; apprising, informing, notification, notifying, tip-off; advice, counsel, guidance, recommendation, suggestion, tip; announcement, declaration

5 a measure taken to preclude loss or injury the standard caution of donning surgical gloves before performing any kind of dental work Synonyms precaution, fail-safe, palladium, preventive, safeguardRelated Words armor, cover, guard, protection, screen, shield, wall, ward