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
For anyone who has ever stared at a mysterious door, hatch, or panel in their home and wondered what was on the other side, Bareilles’ video serves as both entertainment and a cautionary tale.
—
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Because the Duggars adhere to a fundamentalist fringe of evangelicalism, the liberal media are often quick to use the family’s failings as a cautionary tale about Christianity in general, and conservatives can be too quick to interpret criticism of the family as criticism of the church.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
My 30s were a cautionary tale of bad relationship decisions.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Few corporate cautionary tales are as vivid as the rise and fall of Moderna Inc.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
Grainge did strike a cautionary note amid expressing his excitement for the future of AI.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Some on Wall Street are pointing back to the 1970s stagflation period as a cautionary tale.
—Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
Momsen described the new single as a cautionary descent.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2026
Shasta authorities say their story serves as a cautionary tale about the types of mistakes that can — and sometimes do — lead to death on the mountain.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Because the Duggars adhere to a fundamentalist fringe of evangelicalism, the liberal media are often quick to use the family’s failings as a cautionary tale about Christianity in general, and conservatives can be too quick to interpret criticism of the family as criticism of the church.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
My 30s were a cautionary tale of bad relationship decisions.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Few corporate cautionary tales are as vivid as the rise and fall of Moderna Inc.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
Grainge did strike a cautionary note amid expressing his excitement for the future of AI.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Some on Wall Street are pointing back to the 1970s stagflation period as a cautionary tale.
—Morgan Chittum,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
Momsen described the new single as a cautionary descent.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2026
Shasta authorities say their story serves as a cautionary tale about the types of mistakes that can — and sometimes do — lead to death on the mountain.
—Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 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 1 Apr. 2026.
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