CAUTIOUSLY Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

cautiously

adverb

Definition of cautiously

as in deliberately

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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 cautiously Democrats are talking more cautiously now, and the party is rooting them on from DC. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Democrats had been cautiously optimistic heading into the evening, with good polling and the American tradition of midterm backlash against a sitting president behind them. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Its potential plot could possibly be hidden within Cat’s film, but everyone is remaining cautiously optimistic — and vague — about where the Things go next. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 Tech investors sound cautiously optimistic about Anthropic's S-1 public offering document , despite persistent concerns about the future of AI and dangers of the technology. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Sams cautiously hopes there will be a rebuilding period for the park service under the next administration. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Kim Alexander is cautiously optimistic that won't be the case. — Miles Parks, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026 The Panthers — normally among the NFL’s most aggressive teams on fourth down — also played this one cautiously for much of the way, trying to make McKee have to go 80-plus yards every possession. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 Alex Wong/Getty Images Polls and pundits alike are widely — if sometimes cautiously — predicting a blue wave in the midterm elections on November 3. — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautiously

Adverb

The researchers say the cracks can be deliberately incorporated into the coating rather than treated as unwanted defects.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Paladin is running a more altruistic mercenary business (the details are deliberately vague), with Lisa and Edith as assistants.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of deliberately

Adverb

After hearing parents’ concerns this week, the Board of Education on Thursday put out a statement calling for the local zoning board to carefully review any formal proposal.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
Grumpy’s knack for musical storytelling makes Unfindable Ring feel immersive, its songs chock-full of evocative wordplay and carefully produced so that every standout line is coupled with an accompanying sonic flourish.

— Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of carefully

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cautious

cautiously

cautiousness

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“Cautiously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautiously. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of cautiously

adverb

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