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
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Recent Examples of cautionary
Somewhat muted amid Pat Riley’s comments this week about the need for decisive Miami Heat change were cautionary words about a process that also could be deferred, put on hold.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Indianapolis, just 180 miles southeast of here, serves as a cautionary tale.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Lucky tells the cautionary tale for a new generation.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
What initially reads like a generally cautionary tale reveals itself to be something far narrower as this specific woman is caught inside the logical result of her decisions.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
This seems to be the cautionary tale, the flip side of fame.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
On his campaign website, Zacky casts that failure as a cautionary tale about Sacramento overreach.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
What has transpired over the past five seasons for the Kings is a cautionary tale for many NHL teams.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The presentation is both a celebration of the Sonoran Desert and a cautionary tale about humanity's impact on it, said Matthew Shaw, co-founder of ScanLAB Projects.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Indianapolis, just 180 miles southeast of here, serves as a cautionary tale.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Lucky tells the cautionary tale for a new generation.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
What initially reads like a generally cautionary tale reveals itself to be something far narrower as this specific woman is caught inside the logical result of her decisions.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
This seems to be the cautionary tale, the flip side of fame.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
On his campaign website, Zacky casts that failure as a cautionary tale about Sacramento overreach.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
What has transpired over the past five seasons for the Kings is a cautionary tale for many NHL teams.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The presentation is both a celebration of the Sonoran Desert and a cautionary tale about humanity's impact on it, said Matthew Shaw, co-founder of ScanLAB Projects.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Cautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cautionary. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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