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
Griffin closed with a broader warning for New York, invoking a familiar cautionary tale.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Another professional women’s sports league, the WNBA, is a cautionary tale.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 6 May 2026
In a powerful and disquieting GQ profile, the band and some immediate friends and family unraveled the struggles that have plagued their lucrative but life-altering reunion, a kind of cautionary tale for leveling up after settling down.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
Petek’s latest cautionary report, issued this week, ramps up the language even more, detailing how general fund spending has increased by over $100 billion a year, outstripping revenues, since 2019, the year Newsom took office.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Watch the cautionary tale about the perils of the transfer portal turn into a fairy-tale comeback.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
During the town hall, Capo described Houston ISD’s ongoing takeover, which started in 2023, as a cautionary tale of what’s to come, including a drop in enrollment with families leaving the district.
—Lina Ruiz
may 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
The product is for ages 3 years+ and carries a cautionary statement advising adult supervision due to the heating/cooling element.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Consumer spending slowed down from the previous quarter, however, providing a cautionary note for the nation's outlook.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Another professional women’s sports league, the WNBA, is a cautionary tale.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 6 May 2026
In a powerful and disquieting GQ profile, the band and some immediate friends and family unraveled the struggles that have plagued their lucrative but life-altering reunion, a kind of cautionary tale for leveling up after settling down.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
Petek’s latest cautionary report, issued this week, ramps up the language even more, detailing how general fund spending has increased by over $100 billion a year, outstripping revenues, since 2019, the year Newsom took office.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Watch the cautionary tale about the perils of the transfer portal turn into a fairy-tale comeback.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
During the town hall, Capo described Houston ISD’s ongoing takeover, which started in 2023, as a cautionary tale of what’s to come, including a drop in enrollment with families leaving the district.
—Lina Ruiz
may 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
The product is for ages 3 years+ and carries a cautionary statement advising adult supervision due to the heating/cooling element.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Consumer spending slowed down from the previous quarter, however, providing a cautionary note for the nation's outlook.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Apr. 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 12 May. 2026.
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