precaution

Definition of precautionnext
as in safeguard
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury as parents of young children, they have taken the usual precaution of locking up their household cleansers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 precaution In a message to parents, Orville Wright Elementary's principal said the police department placed the school on lockdown as a precaution. Brandon Downs, CBS News, 28 May 2026 As a precaution, residents including Morton College were told to shelter in place, officials said. Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 Despite precautions, past protests have often resulted in incidents; at last year’s Art Basel protest, two participants were arrested. Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026 No matter the date, other precautions are being taken. Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for precaution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precaution
Noun
  • The bear’s maker, FoloToy, initially stopped Kumma sales after the study was published to conduct a safety audit and to strengthen child-safety safeguards, the company said in a statement at the time.
    Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • As part of its ongoing bargaining process to secure a new contract, the faculty association has been pushing for safeguards for those who use and those who refuse to use AI, professional development resources and protections for faculty intellectual property.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.
    Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
  • But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023
Noun
  • Carpenter requested that her sister, Sarah, and her sister’s boyfriend, guitarist George Smith, be added to the protection order as well since the couple reside in her Los Angeles home.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.
    Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
  • The same few voices lead every conversation, and everyone else trades challenge for caution.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precaution. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on precaution

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster