as in preventative
concerned with or serving to keep something from happening
prior to the game, we moved the furniture out of the way as a precautionary measure
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Recent Examples of precautionary
But if the Spartans find themselves with nothing to lose over their last few games, or if Chiles is hurt enough to warrant a precautionary benching, Milivojevic might get a late-season start.
—
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, said the country has taken precautionary measures to minimize the impact of a Category 5 storm, such as relocating residents to safety and organizing recovery efforts.
—NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The precautionary shutdown comes amid forecasts of destructive winds and flooding as the Category 5 storm approaches.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
In this case, the outer layer appears to have failed, prompting the crew to execute a precautionary diversion, which is a standard safety measure in such scenarios.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The measure calls for scientists to evaluate such projects on a case-by-case basis, be transparent about risks and benefits of potential actions and take a precautionary approach to genetic engineering, among other principles.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
The major highways connecting the capital, Kathmandu, with other areas were closed by the authorities as some parts were blocked by landslides and others were shut as a precautionary measure.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Arsenal’s defence received another boost with the news that Gabriel’s withdrawal was thought to be precautionary.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
City officials let Rock Fest continue when concert promoter AEG Live Productions agreed to make precautionary changes.
—Dan Kelly
october 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, said the country has taken precautionary measures to minimize the impact of a Category 5 storm, such as relocating residents to safety and organizing recovery efforts.
—NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
The precautionary shutdown comes amid forecasts of destructive winds and flooding as the Category 5 storm approaches.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
In this case, the outer layer appears to have failed, prompting the crew to execute a precautionary diversion, which is a standard safety measure in such scenarios.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
The measure calls for scientists to evaluate such projects on a case-by-case basis, be transparent about risks and benefits of potential actions and take a precautionary approach to genetic engineering, among other principles.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
The major highways connecting the capital, Kathmandu, with other areas were closed by the authorities as some parts were blocked by landslides and others were shut as a precautionary measure.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Arsenal’s defence received another boost with the news that Gabriel’s withdrawal was thought to be precautionary.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
City officials let Rock Fest continue when concert promoter AEG Live Productions agreed to make precautionary changes.
—Dan Kelly
october 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precautionary
Adjective
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He is charged with first-degree murder, battery, battery of a household member and tampering with evidence, and is being held under preventative detention.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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According to Josh Johnson, director of Training and Outreach at Nashville's Sexual Assault Center, no tool is 100% effective, but testing strips like Spikey are one of many preventative measures.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Such distress can affect your sleep — even to the point of nightmares, said sleep specialist Jennifer Mundt, a clinical associate professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah’s Sleep Wake Center.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Bronze plans must provide comprehensive coverage, including covering preventive care at no cost, and may cover some doctor visits before the deductible.—
Michelle Andrews,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precautionary. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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