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
Matthew Lee, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Beijing’s trade war with Washington has dominated attention, and Chinese officials previously downplayed the myriad long-term risks to growth, making the latest warnings notable.
—semafor.com, 8 July 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
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Even the mainstream media is warning users away from RCS, leaving Google with some thinking to do.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for warning
Noun
The warning came after the department discovered that an impostor posing as Rubio had attempted to reach out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator and a governor, according to the July 3 cable, which was first reported by The Washington Post.
—Matthew Lee, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Beijing’s trade war with Washington has dominated attention, and Chinese officials previously downplayed the myriad long-term risks to growth, making the latest warnings notable.
—semafor.com, 8 July 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
Your local television forecast, weather App, and warning information depends on government satellites, radars, models, observations, and personnel.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Even the mainstream media is warning users away from RCS, leaving Google with some thinking to do.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for warning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning
Noun
-
However, out of an abundance of caution, the FBI asks that the public avoid the area if possible.—
Dan Gooding
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
Though he’s recovered much faster this time, his manager’s frequent refrain in recent weeks has been one of caution.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
District administrators said the signs — including one displaying open hands of different skin tones — violated West Ada’s district policy.—
Emma Epperly,
Idaho Statesman,
28 June 2025
-
Moon sign planting dates Above-ground crops: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 27, 28, 31 Below-ground crops: 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23 Control weeds: 11, 12, 13, 20, 21 Prune trees and shrubs: 7, 8, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 3.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
With PulteGroup leading off this earnings report season, their negative comments could be a forewarning of more reality adjustments ahead.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes,
26 Oct. 2024
-
American reconnaissance flights over eastern Europe, for example, have offered Kyiv otherwise unattainable forewarning on Russian activity and assistance in targeting.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
However, a Chinese diplomat ran a red light in central Prague while trying to maintain surveillance of the Taiwanese delegation.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
Detectives also found Lumpkin had run a red light just before the fatal crash four blocks away and nearly struck two cars.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
26 June 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
-
Palace put a message out on their social media page advising the issue had been fixed around 35 minutes after tickets went on sale.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Despite this being the lowest classification, health officials are still advising consumers to take precautions.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Under the sheriff’s policies and procedures, Ornelas would have been flagged in the jail’s electronic medical records system as requiring behavioral health services — an alert that should have shown up when he was booked in June 2023, the lawsuit says.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
Just in time for holiday festivities, the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an air quality alert for Fourth of July weekend in Greater Cincinnati.—
Hailey Roden,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Fortunately, there are ways to recognize red flags that indicate suspicious job descriptions.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Watch for common red flags: Be cautious of sudden friend requests from unfamiliar accounts, vague messages that mention surprise winnings, poor grammar or any pressure to act quickly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share