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
Per The Athletic's Tom Bogert, Pochettino said Pulisic took a kick to the calf that caused some tightness, and the decision to remove him was purely precautionary.
—
Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Pulisic was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter at halftime for precautionary reasons after he was kicked in the back of his left calf and felt some subsequent tightness.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement earlier that building monitoring systems detected an air-quality issue, prompting precautionary measures while officials work to determine the source and extent of the problem.
—Steve Beynon, ABC News, 11 June 2026
The 76-year-old man was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center as a precautionary measure.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Some families may also choose organic foods during pregnancy or for young children as a precautionary measure to reduce pesticide exposure, notes Cara Rosenbloom, RD.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Lionel Messi is another star who suffered injury trouble in the build-up to the World Cup, although the 38-year-old withdrawal from a recent Inter Miami match was believed to be precautionary.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 10 June 2026
As a precautionary measure, Ian is undergoing further medical assessment, including scans and X-rays.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Surely, now is the time for precautionary action.
—Steven Andreasen, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Pulisic was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter at halftime for precautionary reasons after he was kicked in the back of his left calf and felt some subsequent tightness.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement earlier that building monitoring systems detected an air-quality issue, prompting precautionary measures while officials work to determine the source and extent of the problem.
—Steve Beynon, ABC News, 11 June 2026
The 76-year-old man was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center as a precautionary measure.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Some families may also choose organic foods during pregnancy or for young children as a precautionary measure to reduce pesticide exposure, notes Cara Rosenbloom, RD.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Lionel Messi is another star who suffered injury trouble in the build-up to the World Cup, although the 38-year-old withdrawal from a recent Inter Miami match was believed to be precautionary.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 10 June 2026
As a precautionary measure, Ian is undergoing further medical assessment, including scans and X-rays.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Surely, now is the time for precautionary action.
—Steven Andreasen, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precautionary
Adjective
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Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed annually, every June, to promote brain and cognitive health initiatives, raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and preventative measures, and encourage research participation to learn about early detection.—
Wendy Coschignano-Ford,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
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Instead of waiting for employees to raise their hand, organizations can engage in preventative mental health infrastructure to identify and support individuals earlier, before issues escalate into clinical or organizational problems.—
Stephen Sokoler,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
That’s where most of the preventive work should start.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Ouellet is being held in preventive detention in Rockingham County, and a protective order has been issued for the woman, according to court documents.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precautionary. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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