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
The final stage would be that if the user seems entrenched in the delusion and won’t let go of it, a notable and cautionary report to the AI maker might be necessitated (for reporting of user prompts, see my coverage at the link here).
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
At that event, held at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, DeSantis stood alongside Ingoglia and cast the county as a cautionary tale of runaway government.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan provides a cautionary tale in strongman leaders attempting to intervene in monetary policy.
—Ryan Hogg, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
DeVito bookends the movie as pricey divorce attorney Gavin D'Amato, who shares the cautionary tale of Barbara (Turner) and Oliver Rose (Douglas) for a new client, emphasizing just how grisly divorce can be.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Autocracy in countries such as these offer us ample cautionary tales.
—Stacey Abrams, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
The 69-year-old wrestling legend and fitness guru shared the news on his social media, using the experience as a cautionary tale for his followers.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
In the original film, the story of the Roses and their divorce is presented as a cautionary tale, something to heed.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Finally, history offers a cautionary tale.
—CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
At that event, held at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, DeSantis stood alongside Ingoglia and cast the county as a cautionary tale of runaway government.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan provides a cautionary tale in strongman leaders attempting to intervene in monetary policy.
—Ryan Hogg, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
DeVito bookends the movie as pricey divorce attorney Gavin D'Amato, who shares the cautionary tale of Barbara (Turner) and Oliver Rose (Douglas) for a new client, emphasizing just how grisly divorce can be.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Autocracy in countries such as these offer us ample cautionary tales.
—Stacey Abrams, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
The 69-year-old wrestling legend and fitness guru shared the news on his social media, using the experience as a cautionary tale for his followers.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
In the original film, the story of the Roses and their divorce is presented as a cautionary tale, something to heed.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Finally, history offers a cautionary tale.
—CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
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 9 Sep. 2025.
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