cautionary

Definition of cautionarynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 cautionary There is no greater cautionary tale than Australia’s cane toads, whose now 200-million strong population continues to wreak havoc 91 years after being introduced to deal with the country’s cane beetle problem. Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 These patterns mirror problematic social media use by teens – a trajectory that offers a cautionary lesson. Megan Kelly, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 No one knows the cautionary tale of Carter’s presidency more than our current president, who has repeatedly used it as a stand-in for presidential failure and American weakness. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 The novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is a cautionary tale about a family of the same surname who discover a Fountain of Youth—challenging them to reconcile with immortality and all its implications. Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 Hong’s handling of her past online misadventures serves as a cautionary blueprint of what not to do, particularly for those who like the 37-year-old DSA’er can barely remember the pre-internet age. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 This is by no means a complete list but all of them are cautionary tales of how men with elite athletic talent forfeited their futures because of drugs, alcohol, or violence that included domestic abuse and even murder. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Football is full of cautionary tales (and, for the sake of balance, morally-dubious fairy tales) about the risks and rewards of taking on finance adjacent to or entangled with politics. James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Japanese officials bristle at the notion that their economy is viewed globally as a cautionary tale rather than a competitive force. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 July 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

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Cite this Entry

“Cautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautionary. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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