cautious

1 of 2

adjective

cau·​tious ˈkȯ-shəs How to pronounce cautious (audio)
Synonyms of cautious
: careful about avoiding danger or risk
cautious investors
cautious optimism
cautiously adverb
cautiousness noun

cautiousness

2 of 2

noun

cau·​tious·​ness
ˈkȯ-shəs-nəs
plural -es
: the quality or state of being cautious

Synonyms of cautious

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Adjective

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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

Adjective 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.
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Adjective
For someone who is curious but cautious, or doesn’t like a hemp taste, start here. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 Some players feel more confident wearing it while others are more cautious for fear of another blow. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2026 My early, cautious attempts felt like sandpaper on sensitive skin. — Rebekah Taussig, Time, 7 July 2026 Investors remain cautious and easily spooked by any signs that the euphoria carrying AI stocks could be slowing. — Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cautious

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see caution entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cautious was in 1614

Phrases Containing cautious

Rhymes for cautious

See All Rhymes for cautious

Browse Nearby Words

cautionry
cautious
cautiously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cautious. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cautious

adjective
cau·​tious ˈkȯ-shəs How to pronounce cautious (audio)
: marked by or given to caution
a cautious reply
cautiously adverb
cautiousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cautious

Nglish: Translation of cautious for Spanish Speakers

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