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.

Still, the Dodgers plan to be cautious with the right-hander at the outset of the 2025 season. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 People who are pregnant should be cautious, as flaxseeds might have mild hormonal effects. —

Johna Burdeos, Health, 20 Jan. 2025 The team is going to be cautious with its best player and his lower-body injury. —

Joe Smith, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Always be cautious when receiving unexpected messages, especially those asking for personal information or containing suspicious links. —

Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cautious