Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
precautionary

precautionary

22 5.0
Done to stop possible harm before it happens
  • adjective
  • /prɪˈkɔːʃənˌɛri/
: preventivo
  • This is just standard precautionary thing.
  • precautionary measures
  • precautionary principle
  • precautionary approach

It's critical, again, going back to the precautionary principle.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I think that they just want to be extra careful moving into the final stages, just as a precautionary measure.

    Dream Scenario (2023)

  • It's just a precautionary measure.

    Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

  • Should people in that industry and should others be taking precautionary measures at this point on that basis?

  • But the principle offers no guidance as to what precautionary measures should be taken.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Yes, yes, and obviously I've taken precautionary measures.

    The Gentlemen (2020)

  • I would like to underline that these are just precautionary measures.

    Dante's Peak (1997)

  • This is a precautionary quarantine... due to a potential biological hazard.

    The Blob (1988)

  • So that's where a lot of people say we just have to be precautionary because we can't take that risk.

  • Fumigants such as MB are typically applied as a precautionary measure yearly or every other year.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The company implemented precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its employees during the pandemic.

Synonyms

protective
vsprecautionary
209 2.4

Made to keep a person or thing safe from harm

is meant as an advance step to stop harm before it happens
cautious
vsprecautionary
206 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

focuses on specific prior safeguards rather than a general careful attitude
pre-emptive
vsprecautionary
50 6.7

Taking action before a problem to stop it from happening

is more general, applying to advance safeguards not only first strike acts
preventative
vsprecautionary
27 4.1

Made to stop bad things like disease or harm

is used for general advance steps taken to avoid possible trouble
prophylactic
vsprecautionary
  • Specialized
6 7.5

Used to prevent infection or disease

applies to any action taken earlier to avoid harm beyond health cases
prudential
vsprecautionary
  • Formal
5 8.0

Being careful about money or business decisions

is about taking prior protective steps rather than making prudent decisions
preemptive
vsprecautionary
  • US
4 7.0

Acting before a problem to stop it from happening

is broader, covering any safety steps taken before problems arise
preemptory
vsprecautionary
1 8.0

Acting early to stop something bad from happening

focuses on precaution as a general safeguard rather than specifically blocking others
precautional
vsprecautionary
  • Formal
8.6

Done in advance to prevent harm

expresses the idea as a general safeguard used before risk appears

Antonyms

negligent
57 5.3

Not taking proper care and causing harm or risk

How Precautionary

overcautious
2 6.1
preventive
51 3.8
precautionary
22 5.0
cautious
206 2.9
careless
66 1.0
reckless
221 3.6

Surface Forms

precautionary positive

Morphology

precautionary = precaution (transparent) = precaution + ary

Formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-ary' to the noun 'precaution', producing an adjective meaning 'pertaining to or done as a precaution'; the relation is directly inferable.

Etymology

The word precautionary comes from pre- 'before' and caution 'care' or 'warning', the same root you see in cautious. So a precautionary action is something you do before a possible problem to keep safe.