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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caution

2 of 2

noun

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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4
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
Competition and bifurcation Still, Anjala and Wouters cautioned that the rebound isn't necessarily broad-based. Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 16 June 2026 Although the 2025 measurement improved compared with 2024, researchers cautioned against celebrating the change, explaining that water clarity remained far below historic levels. Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
Noun
However, the same caution applies. Kurt Knutsson fox News May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 On the one hand, what Streeting said should be treated with a degree of caution. Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for caution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caution
Verb
  • Federal immigration officials are urging New York authorities not to release a 59-year-old Salvadoran national accused of raping a 16-year-old girl on Long Island, warning that he should be turned over to ICE if released from local custody.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • Ahead of the World Cup matches that began last week in Inglewood and Santa Clara, health officials warned the public to keep an eye out for symptoms of measles.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • This raised interest rates to punishing levels just as fiscal prudence was being tossed aside.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
  • Strength and prudence are not the same thing.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • The android has a sunny outlook and a childlike wonder about the humans around her, with Ortega describing her as being on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Wednesday Addams.
    Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026
  • No wonder people are so eager to talk about it.
    Kyley Sitton, Washington Post, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The fire prompted an evacuation order for homes near the Pico Canyon Elementary School area, while evacuation warnings were issued for homes in the area of Sagecrest Circle and Chicory Court, according to authorities.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
  • Following a viral social media trend that encouraged children to microwave their NeeDoh toys, Schylling added several safety warnings to all its packaging.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The American star said postgame that he was kicked in his left calf during the first half and was subbed off at halftime as a precaution.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • The Fort Worth Fire Department evaluated the boy as a precaution and determined the child was safe.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • My dog in training is learning how to alert me to specific medical conditions and respond to assist me.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 14 June 2026
  • California’s Earthquake Early Warning system uses seismic sensors, ground-motion monitoring, and alerting technology to deliver warnings to people via cell phones before the strongest shaking arrives, according to the official website.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 June 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
  • In the wake of OG’s miracle shot, what would follow was so obvious.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
  • At the clinic, community health workers confirmed her suspicion and gave her a week's supply of a near-miracle food - Plumpy'Nut, the brand name of what's called a ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caution. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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