caution 1 of 2

Definition of cautionnext
as in to warn
to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk the doctor cautioned that I should still be careful using my sprained wrist for the next several days

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1
2
as in wonder
something extraordinary or surprising how she manages to drive her car without destroying the neighborhood is a caution

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3
as in warning
something that tells of approaching danger or risk this is just a caution that the following paragraph practically gives away the entire plot of the movie

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5
as in precaution
a measure taken to preclude loss or injury the standard caution of donning surgical gloves before performing any kind of dental work

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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 caution
Verb
Silver not at an attractive entry point… yet UBS is skeptical of the potential for a silver rebound and has cautioned against investors starting to build exposure to the metal. Mike Sheen, CNBC, 23 July 2026 Still, Brown cautions that the social media backlash isn’t representative of the entire Japanese population, as older and more conservative people are more likely to hold onto traditional expectations around work and gender. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 July 2026
Noun
Media reports also cited Jefferies analyst William Beavington as urging caution, noting that previous claims of Chinese progress in immersion DUV lithography had later proved inaccurate. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026 If a vendor can't answer that clearly, the caution is doing its job. Benjamin Faes, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for caution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caution
Verb
  • Authorities say individuals have been detained as part of the investigation and warn that more of the tainted cocaine may have been sold in the area.
    Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Only five vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to marine traffic data, after the Iranian military warned the channel would be closed so long as US strikes persist.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • The World Economic Forum calls it financial nihilism — the conclusion that the system no longer rewards prudence, driving a cohort toward crypto bets, prediction markets, and raided retirement accounts.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • But not necessarily the knowledge, confidence or contacts to take it to next stage of monetization, strike collaborative partnerships or exercise operational prudence.
    Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • For the third time in nine days since returning from the FIFA World Cup break, that formula worked wonders for Los Angeles Football Club.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • For all his success, Sienkiewicz has never lost the sense of wonder at being able to do work that motivates himself personally.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • Colt’s father, Colin Gray, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter charges in March for purchasing his son the firearm and keeping it unsecured despite warnings that Colt was a danger to others.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • But for most of us, being thrust to the forefront of a TV set with no warning, then ordered to compete with the pros, is a recipe for instant performance anxiety.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Noun
  • Medics took the child to a hospital for evaluation as a precaution.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • South Florida residents should take the necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and heat illness.
    Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department was not alerted to the action.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • See tips for hiking in bear country When in bear country, Fish and Wildlife recommends hiking in small groups and making noise to alert bears to your presence.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • This carefulness is clearly strategic.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • There was no carefulness in it.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Now, that mythical move will be presented as a trade deadline miracle.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
  • But these are the kinds of miracles location managers and their scouts perform every day.
    Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 22 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caution. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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