Synonyms of warning

warning 1 of 3

noun

ˈwȯr-niŋ 

1

as in caution

the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk

she delivered a strict warning that anyone who was caught stealing would be fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• caution
• forewarning
• alert
• advice
• recommendation
• admonition
• admonishment
• suggestion
• heads-up
• alarm
• notice
• prediction
• announcement
• informing
• predicting
• prophecy
• notification
• forecasting
• declaration
• guidance
• premonition
• tip
• notifying
• prophesying
• foretelling
• presaging
• augury
• auguring
• tip-off
• prognosticating
• counsel
• apprising

2

as in sign

something that tells of approaching danger or risk

the ominously darkening sky was a warning that a tornado was approaching

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sign
• red light
• caution
• red flag
• handwriting on the wall
• tip-off
• tocsin
• notification
• signal
• indicator
• wake-up call
• premonition
• omen
• portent
• declaration
• notice
• announcement
• presage
• buoy
• foretaste
• knell
• foretoken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permission
• green light
• OK
• go-ahead
• all clear

warning

2 of 3

adjective

as in cautionary

serving as or offering a warning

usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautionary
• admonitory
• admonishing
• premonitory
• punitive
• monitory
• cautioning
• exemplary
• advisory
• didactic
• moralistic
• moralizing
• counseling
• punishing

warning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of warn

as in alerting

to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk

the lifeguard warned the boys that if they continued playing so rough, someone was sure to get hurt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alerting
• advising
• cautioning
• informing
• forewarning
• waking
• predicting
• admonishing
• notifying
• forecasting
• prophesying
• foretelling
• presaging
• apprising
• prognosticating
• tipping (off)
• auguring
• foreshadowing
• harbingering
• foreboding
• portending
• boding
• foretokening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• risking
• imperiling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of warning

Noun

Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued; they were later lifted. — Firdia Lisnawati, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii on Monday as cleanup efforts were expected to begin, but life-threatening surf and rip current conditions remained, according to the National Hurricane Center. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations. — Scott Sonner, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021

In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases. — Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020

Verb

An active attack campaign is targeting users of the popular 1Password password manager, with the vendor’s security team warning that emails are being distributed claiming that account payment methods need updating. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Houston officials are warning teachers that health care is straining the budget. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026