as in warning
serving as or offering a warning
the story of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the perils of wishing for something—you just might get it
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Recent Examples of cautionary
Two weeks ago, Allbirds was a cautionary tale.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
In Mann’s eyes, the South African government’s disastrous bid for absolute political power is a cautionary tale with particular resonance today.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Watching Succession as a cautionary tale Some of the critiques come from Edelman’s three daughters — Margot, Tory, and Amanda — who all work in the family firm and sit on its board.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Ortiz pointed to the volatile tech job market as a cautionary example, noting that Silicon Valley firms are shrinking the very teams that built the AI tools now automating their work.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Generally speaking, though, the Bulls of the last few seasons serve as a cautionary tale.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Warren Buffett offered a measured but cautionary read on markets in his first public comments since stepping back from the chief executive role at Berkshire Hathaway , warning of lingering fragility in the banking system while downplaying the significance of recent volatility.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
It is widely viewed as a cautionary tale against patriarchy.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
Quite the opposite, Beijing regards American entanglements in the Middle East over the past decades—including the now metastasizing crisis in Iran—as a cautionary tale.
—Ali Wyne, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
In Mann’s eyes, the South African government’s disastrous bid for absolute political power is a cautionary tale with particular resonance today.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Watching Succession as a cautionary tale Some of the critiques come from Edelman’s three daughters — Margot, Tory, and Amanda — who all work in the family firm and sit on its board.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Ortiz pointed to the volatile tech job market as a cautionary example, noting that Silicon Valley firms are shrinking the very teams that built the AI tools now automating their work.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Generally speaking, though, the Bulls of the last few seasons serve as a cautionary tale.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Warren Buffett offered a measured but cautionary read on markets in his first public comments since stepping back from the chief executive role at Berkshire Hathaway , warning of lingering fragility in the banking system while downplaying the significance of recent volatility.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
It is widely viewed as a cautionary tale against patriarchy.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
Quite the opposite, Beijing regards American entanglements in the Middle East over the past decades—including the now metastasizing crisis in Iran—as a cautionary tale.
—Ali Wyne, Time, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautionary
warning
Adjective
-
The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.—
SCOTT SONNER,
Star Tribune,
27 July 2021
-
In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.—
Andrew Whitby,
Time,
17 Apr. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Cautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautionary. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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