to caution

Examples

• All

• Before you start the project, I want to caution you about potential delays.

• I need to caution you that, at first, this may be very difficult for you to understand and accept.

  Bucky and the Squirrels (2018)

• Let me caution you at this point.

• Like I said, I caution any of you who are going to stay in these relationships.

• I must caution you that anything you say will be taken down in writing.

  Wicked Little Letters (2024)

• I caution you about the rocks.

  Rare Birds (2001)

• Once more I must caution the galleries to keep quiet.

  Tennessee Johnson (1942)

• I caution you, don't go too far.

  Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003)

• I believe we can make progress, but would caution that progress will not mean a solution or tranquility.

  Academic text (1991)

• I strongly caution you, Mr. Seale.

  The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Synonyms

W

to warn

vsto caution

∞ 1.0

Tell someone about possible danger so they can be careful

is the same basic act of telling someone about danger

B

to be careful

vsto caution

∞ 1.0

Take care to avoid danger or getting hurt

gives information about possible danger rather than direct instruction

A

to alert

vsto caution

242 2.3

To warn someone about a possible danger or problem

focuses more narrowly on simply giving notice of possible danger

W

to watch it

vsto caution

• Informal

236 5.6

Be careful to avoid danger or upsetting someone

is a general informative notice rather than a sharp spoken order

A

to admonish

vsto caution

30 6.8

To tell someone firmly to change or improve their behavior

aims to inform about danger rather than to correct behaviour

F

to forewarn

vsto caution

12 4.8

Tell someone about possible danger before it happens

gives notice when danger is immediate rather than beforehand

P

to prewarn

vsto caution

1 4.2

To tell people about a possible danger before it happens

gives notice when danger is immediate rather than beforehand

S

to sound a warning bell

vsto caution

1 4.3

To warn people about a possible danger or serious problem

is a direct personal notice rather than a public signal

R

to ring a warning bell

vsto caution

• Informal

1 5.4

Make someone think there may be a problem

directly tells people about danger instead of merely causing concern

P

to previse

vsto caution

• Archaic

9.9

To tell someone about something before it happens

gives notice at the time of danger rather than earlier

Idioms

T

to throw caution to the wind

• Informal

10 7.3

Do something without worrying about the risks

How Forceful

to alarm

47 1.9

to warn

∞ 1.0

to caution

86 3.0

to advise

517 2.2

to mention

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology