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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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 warning
Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
State health officials across the country, including in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota, have begun warning recipients of the possible lack of funds for November.
—Terry Moseley, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Staff, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 degrees also are expected in western Colorado overnight Thursday into Friday, according to a freeze warning from the weather service.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warning
Noun
An earlier version said the warnings were reversed during a shutdown.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
State health officials across the country, including in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota, have begun warning recipients of the possible lack of funds for November.
—Terry Moseley, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Scams targeting older Americans are surging, and federal officials are warning that the tactics are becoming harder to detect.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 degrees also are expected in western Colorado overnight Thursday into Friday, according to a freeze warning from the weather service.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning
Noun
-
Experts and officials have renewed the call for care and caution when being around wild birds and domestic fowl, and in putting out birdfeeders and baths.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As early as 2014, scientists had discovered signs of sea star wasting disease in at least twenty species across the Pacific coast.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
-
To Be Nervous Almost everyone gets some sign of jitters before speaking, even seasoned pros.—
Nathan Green,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Murdaughs are not unknowable monsters, but cautionary tales for what a lifetime without consequences can do to a soul.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Whether Albania’s actions represent an aspirational model for the future of governance, or a cautionary tale on the hazards of deployment without sufficient transparency and public involvement, will depend on what happens next.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Colbert will voice Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students, giving daily announcements to the students and alerting them of anything that needs their immediate attention.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
In a viral clip, shared on Instagram in September under the username @dharmas_dogs, the senior pup wakes up from his nap as the poster calls them over for breakfast, alerting his hard-of-hearing sister before heading to eat.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beliefs in false statements dropped from 19.5 percent in the control group to 12.3 percent in the forewarning group and to 10.6 percent among the participants who received simple explanations without forewarnings.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
29 Aug. 2025
-
This is when your neighbors will appreciate some forewarning—and a chance to tell you about their concerns.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This probe covers dozens of dangerous driving incidents, including blowing through red lights, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, and three accidents that resulted in five injuries.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The opening introduces her character aglow in red light, complemented by a narrated monologue, vaguely written but delivered as pure, possibly suicidal despair.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And while the formal rules on travel have relaxed, the admonitory official language is unchanged.—
John Liu,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2023
-
Satire has always had an admonitory function, and besides, some people are so obnoxious that a writer has to slow-walk the reader through their awfulness.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2022
Verb
-
The transaction was concluded in August, with HSBC Bank and HDFC Bank advising on it, according to the people close to the deal.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.—
Christina Binkley,
Robb Report,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share