Synonyms for caution
- noun
- verb
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Circumspection
circumspection, care, carefulness, prudence, heed, wariness, forethought, precaution, vigilance, discretion, watchfulness, calculation, providence, cautiousness, foresight
2. Warning
warning, advice, admonition, counsel, deliberation, monition
Other
injunction, heedfulness, caveat dated
Verb
Definitions
- n. 1
Prudence when faced with, or when expecting to face, danger; care taken in order to avoid risk or harm.
proceed without due caution
- n. 2
A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided.
The guideline expressed caution against excessive radiographic imaging.
- v. 1
To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.
Related words
- Word family
- cautionary cautious cautiously
Choose the right word
Care inclines to the positive, caution to the negative; care is shown in doing, caution largely in not doing.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- heed Everyone must heed what the United Nations says.
- prudence It is clear that he failed for lack of prudence.
- advice He will not change his mind in spite of my advice.
- warning I gave him a warning, but he took no notice of it.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| caution | steady | |
| heed | rising | |
| prudence | steady | |
| circumspection | steady | |
| carefulness | steady | |
| advice | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- care1, warn1, heed1
- 6 letters
- advice2, advise2, caveat3, monish
- 7 letters
- warning2, counsel2
- 8 letters
- prudence2, dissuade2, admonish3, wariness3, forewarn2, monition
- 9 letters
- vigilance3, foresight2
- 10 letters
- discretion3, providence3, injunction3, precaution3, admonition4
- 11 letters
- calculation4, forethought2, carefulness3, heedfulness
- 12 letters
- deliberation5, watchfulness, cautiousness3
- 14 letters
- circumspection4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (advice2 = 2 syllables).