Thesaurus results for CAUTIOUS

Q: How does the adjective 'cautious' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cautious are chary , circumspect , and wary . While all these words 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'chary' instead of 'cautious'?

The synonyms chary and cautious are sometimes interchangeable, but chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely. // chary of signing papers without having read them first

Q: When can 'circumspect' be used instead of 'cautious'?

While the synonyms circumspect and cautious are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding. // circumspect in his business dealings

Q: Where would 'wary' be a reasonable alternative to 'cautious'?

Although the words wary and cautious have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it. // keeps a wary eye on the competition

cautious

adjective

ˈkȯ-shəs

Definition of cautious next

as in careful

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble a cautious approach to everyday living

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cautious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cautious are chary, circumspect, and wary. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use chary instead of cautious?

The synonyms chary and cautious are sometimes interchangeable, but chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

When can circumspect be used instead of cautious?

While the synonyms circumspect and cautious are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

Where would wary be a reasonable alternative to cautious?

Although the words wary and cautious have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of cautious Some customers on social media have weighed in on Dairy Queen's use of AI in its drive-thrus — with reactions ranging from frustration to cautious acceptance. —

Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Her nomination was met with cautious support from public health advocates, who questioned whether she would be allowed to lead the agency without interference. —

Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026 Maintain a greater following distance in freeway traffic, slow down before intersections, be cautious on left turns, watch for pedestrians and cyclists before accelerating, avoid aggressive driving and respect higher rural speeds outside city centers. —

Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 The answer is, because there’s real things to be scared about and be cautious of. —

Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cautious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cautious

Adjective

This requires careful monitoring of key parameters such as sugar and acidity from veraison through to harvest.

— Maureen Mackey , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Somewhere within him is the spirit of the patriotic teenager and the careful lower-court judge who rejected any notion of party loyalty or judicial agenda.

— Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026