as in warning
serving as or offering a warning
the story of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the perils of wishing for something—you just might get it
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Recent Examples of cautionary
For better or worse, Dawson served as an emotional, often cautionary, proxy for millennials’ own coming-of-age messiness.
—
Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Discomfort that resolves quickly without altering movement or feeling cautionary can be a positive sign.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The Post is a cautionary tale for two reasons.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Joe Biden’s presidency, for example, should have offered a cautionary tale about the dangers of unforced errors.
—Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Originally staged by Francesca Zambello, smartly revived here by Anna Maria Bruzzese, the first act presents a succession of cautionary characters.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
This is a cautionary tale of the risks of being risk-averse.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
What follows is, as far as I am concerned, a cautionary tale worthy of the morality plays of Medieval Europe.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
In many ways, the 2021-22 Grizzlies are a cautionary tale.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Discomfort that resolves quickly without altering movement or feeling cautionary can be a positive sign.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The Post is a cautionary tale for two reasons.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Joe Biden’s presidency, for example, should have offered a cautionary tale about the dangers of unforced errors.
—Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Originally staged by Francesca Zambello, smartly revived here by Anna Maria Bruzzese, the first act presents a succession of cautionary characters.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
This is a cautionary tale of the risks of being risk-averse.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
What follows is, as far as I am concerned, a cautionary tale worthy of the morality plays of Medieval Europe.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
In many ways, the 2021-22 Grizzlies are a cautionary tale.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautionary
warning
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
Cite this Entry
“Cautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautionary. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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