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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 precautionary
He’s been limited throughout camp as a precautionary measure, according to Frost.
—
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
An aerial photo of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam taken Saturday, April 11, shows water moving through the system, and flood precautionary measures, including pumps and sandbags, being taken at the dam.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Yolo County building officials flagged the need for additional precautionary measures before approving a new metal warehouse at the property on County Roads 23 and 86A in 2022.
—Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The government has already taken other precautionary measures, including imposing a fuel price cap and implementing a fuel tax cut.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 Apr. 2026
Both the precautionary principle and the Asilomar model assume to some extent that there’s a trustworthy authority capable of making the call on how to move forward with a new technology — some institution that can weigh the risks, set the rules, and enforce them.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Redick said Thiero was held out for precautionary reasons after his knee didn’t react well to playing in a G League game then playing in Detroit two days later.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Nearly all participants reported taking at least some precautionary measures when spending time outdoors.
—Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers from the Clinton Police Department responded immediately and safely evacuated all students from the bus as a precautionary measure, according to Mangs.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
An aerial photo of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam taken Saturday, April 11, shows water moving through the system, and flood precautionary measures, including pumps and sandbags, being taken at the dam.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Yolo County building officials flagged the need for additional precautionary measures before approving a new metal warehouse at the property on County Roads 23 and 86A in 2022.
—Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The government has already taken other precautionary measures, including imposing a fuel price cap and implementing a fuel tax cut.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 Apr. 2026
Both the precautionary principle and the Asilomar model assume to some extent that there’s a trustworthy authority capable of making the call on how to move forward with a new technology — some institution that can weigh the risks, set the rules, and enforce them.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Redick said Thiero was held out for precautionary reasons after his knee didn’t react well to playing in a G League game then playing in Detroit two days later.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Nearly all participants reported taking at least some precautionary measures when spending time outdoors.
—Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers from the Clinton Police Department responded immediately and safely evacuated all students from the bus as a precautionary measure, according to Mangs.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precautionary
Adjective
-
This measure is mostly preventative and coyotes typically won’t seek a confrontation.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The changes aim to eliminate what officials described as stigmatizing language and reflect advances in preventative care.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shared clinical decision-making helps tailor care to individual risks and is already used for several vaccines and preventive health decisions.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, unmarried individuals are less likely to seek preventive care or cancer screenings.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precautionary. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
