cautious
adjective
Synonyms
- alert
- careful
- chary
- circumspect
- conservative
- considerate
- gingerly
- guarded
- heedful
- safe
- wary
Example Sentences
Kyla Guilfoil, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2022 Both men had been cautious during the talks to tamp down expectations of a Cold War breakthrough on arms control or greater political openings. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 The pitcher’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, the team was being cautious by placing him on the IL, and he is expected to be back in the Dodgers rotation in time for the playoffs. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 Without Rall, who was taking the SAT, Geiger was cautious going into the Bronco Roundup last weekend at Kit Carson Park. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022 Ovitz is also cautious to employ a proper contract up front when consigning a work for sale. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2022 But there’s one area of technology where CFOs are still cautious—cryptocurrencies. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 This summer, opera has returned to the main stage — an intimate 918-seat theater — but, to be cautious, no ancillary events were scheduled. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 While many financial experts recommend having three to six months’ worth of expenses saved, Persaud is more cautious. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
see caution entry 1
1614, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cautious
Kids Definition
cautious
adjective
cautious
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- careful
- wary
- alert
- circumspect
- considerate
- guarded
- chary
- conservative
- heedful
- safe
- vigilant
- watchful
- thoughtful
- gingerly
- attentive
- observant
- regardful
- slow
- shrewd
- cagey
- deliberate
- awake
- foresighted
- hypercautious
- advertent
- forethoughtful
- calculating
- canny
- provident
- foresightful
- ultracautious
- cagy
- ultracareful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- careless
- reckless
- unsafe
- impetuous
- bold
- unmindful
- heedless
- unwary
- venturesome
- regardless
- rash
- incautious
- unguarded
- thoughtless
- negligent
- brash
- inattentive
- imprudent
- lax
- inconsiderate
- neglectful
- indiscreet
- forgetful
- asleep
- injudicious
- remiss
- inadvertent
- unintentional
- unplanned
- absentminded
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of cautious are chary, circumspect, and wary. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.
The synonyms chary and cautious are sometimes interchangeable, but chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.
While the synonyms circumspect and cautious are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.
Although the words wary and cautious have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.