cautious

adjective

cau·tious ˈkȯ-shəs

Synonyms of cautious next

: careful about avoiding danger or risk

cautious investors

cautious optimism

cautiously adverb

cautiousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for cautious

cautious, circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk.

cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

Examples of cautious in a Sentence

Any cautious tourist will guard her passport. You cannot be overly cautious when you're driving in snow. He answered the question with a cautious reply.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Be cautious of unsolicited texts, emails or phone calls offering deals, discounts or asking for your personal information. —

Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024 Despite the financial award, Sullivan remains cautious about his future. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 Heart Attack and Stroke Risk People with metabolic syndrome or other cardiac risk factors should be cautious about consuming erythritol. —

Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2024 Many observers say Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election could make South Korea more cautious about potentially shipping weapons to Ukraine because the president-elect has promised to end the war swiftly. —

Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cautious