Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cautious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cautious are chary, circumspect, and wary. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When is it sensible to use chary instead of cautious?

The synonyms chary and cautious are sometimes interchangeable, but chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

When can circumspect be used instead of cautious?

While the synonyms circumspect and cautious are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

Where would wary be a reasonable alternative to cautious?

Although the words wary and cautious have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cautious Supreme Leader Urges Caution Meanwhile, Khamenei has expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing nuclear negotiations. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 That is why China will be cautious about entering into trade negotiations. Ryan Hass, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 The carrier, which has a major presence at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, is now taking a cautious approach to growth. Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025 This is another reason to be cautious about forecasting tariff impacts. George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cautious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautious
Adjective
  • Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
    Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Yet Schlossberg is careful to note that May did not shadow-direct the movie during production.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The study, by the Kearney Consumer Institute, found that consumers are wary of spending.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Europe is wary of sleepwalking back into the trap of reliance on Russian energy resources that caused an energy crisis at the outset of the 2022 invasion and mounting speculation that Europe might reopen its taps has sparked pushback from key European voices.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amber’s legacy is an alert system that has saved over 1,000 children.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The victim, a man in his 20s, was alert and conscious and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Boisvert said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautious. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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