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
Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Turning to the topic of Trump himself and possible more NBA targets and even the WNBA, the increasingly political multi-platform pundit issued a warning to his fanbase and America.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 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
Davis Winkie, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2011, the union sought to block the merger of Comcast and NBCUniversal, warning that the media landscape was already too consolidated.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warning
Noun
Disney’s warning comes after YouTube TV has been engaged in four other distribution disputes so far this year alone.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Turning to the topic of Trump himself and possible more NBA targets and even the WNBA, the increasingly political multi-platform pundit issued a warning to his fanbase and America.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 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
Faced with the prospect of being overthrown or killed, Maduro has alternated between pleading for peace and warning the United States about his country's defense capabilities.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2011, the union sought to block the merger of Comcast and NBCUniversal, warning that the media landscape was already too consolidated.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for warning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning
Noun
-
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This week, Megan Moroney offers up valuable wisdom enveloped in a lilting ballad, while Maddie Lenhart sings of longing for a carefree night of throwing romantic caution to the wind.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Perri told him that was a sign of his brain rewiring.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
My own reading led me down a narrower and perhaps less nightmarish alley, but one with cautionary implications of its own.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Directed by Kim Ki-young, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of infidelity, following a couple that hires a maid to help around the house while the wife is pregnant, only to have the young woman (Lee Eun-shim) destroy the family from the inside out.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Disney is alerting viewers that its networks including ABC and ESPN could go dark on Google’s YouTube TV as soon as next week, amid an impasse in deal-renewal talks.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Prior to alerting first responders, Rodriguez said her son, Makai Laboy, had just been put down for a nap.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
22 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
-
For example, orange lights mark the warm-up segment to activate body’s core, red lights are used for the toning and strength sections, while blue ones define the more relaxing cool-down and stretching bits.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The vehicle headed toward 291 Highway, running through a red light.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
24 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
-
Arkansas and Oklahoma, for example, are advising recipients to identify food pantries and other groups that help with food.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The sheriff's office is advising the public that her appearance may have changed since this photo was taken.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share