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
The incident triggered a precautionary shelter-in-place, with residents in the area being told to stay inside with their windows closed while authorities monitored the air around the wreck to ensure there were no flammable leaks.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2026
The visit was a precautionary measure given the political climate, a spokesperson for Ingoglia said at the time.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
If enough sectors are generating that precautionary response simultaneously, the aggregate demand effect shows up in earnings results for consumer-facing businesses.
—Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Martin said some residents were taken to the hospital for treatment or precautionary reasons.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 20 May 2026
He is expected to finish his last round of precautionary chemotherapy by the end of June — right on time for summer.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Hospital officials said the risk of infection to staff remained low but called the quarantine a precautionary measure.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
The Cardigan Once relegated to the back of office chairs as a precautionary layer, the cardigan has firmly reestablished itself as a key component of the modern work wardrobe.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Local authorities in southwest France stopped passengers and crew from leaving a cruise ship in Bordeaux on Wednesday, as a precautionary measure after dozens of cases of possible gastroenteritis on board.
—Makini Brice, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2026
The visit was a precautionary measure given the political climate, a spokesperson for Ingoglia said at the time.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
If enough sectors are generating that precautionary response simultaneously, the aggregate demand effect shows up in earnings results for consumer-facing businesses.
—Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Martin said some residents were taken to the hospital for treatment or precautionary reasons.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 20 May 2026
He is expected to finish his last round of precautionary chemotherapy by the end of June — right on time for summer.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Hospital officials said the risk of infection to staff remained low but called the quarantine a precautionary measure.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
The Cardigan Once relegated to the back of office chairs as a precautionary layer, the cardigan has firmly reestablished itself as a key component of the modern work wardrobe.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Local authorities in southwest France stopped passengers and crew from leaving a cruise ship in Bordeaux on Wednesday, as a precautionary measure after dozens of cases of possible gastroenteritis on board.
—Makini Brice, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precautionary
Adjective
-
Officials recommended several preventative measures, including keeping pets vaccinated against rabies.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
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Environmental advocates, however, argue the RMP helps protects residents near chemical facilities by requiring preventative safety measures and should be strengthened and expanded, according to the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
State prosecutors accuse Kazanis, who practiced at the New You Dental clinic in Livonia, of repeatedly billing Medicaid for fillings that were not performed or were performed as less invasive procedures using preventive resin restorations.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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The 79-year-old president spent more than three hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as preventive medical and dental checkups.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precautionary. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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