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

Silver not at an attractive entry point… yet UBS is skeptical of the potential for a silver rebound and has cautioned against investors starting to build exposure to the metal. — Mike Sheen, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Still, Brown cautions that the social media backlash isn’t representative of the entire Japanese population, as older and more conservative people are more likely to hold onto traditional expectations around work and gender. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 July 2026

Noun

But in a note of caution, the same document also points to uneven progress – particularly among Eastern and Central European countries. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026

Motorists were urged to use caution because firefighting crews continued working along the highway. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026