cautious

adjective

cau·tious ˈkȯ-shəs

Synonyms of cautious next

: careful about avoiding danger or risk

cautious investors

cautious optimism

cautiously adverb

cautiousness noun

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

As consumers continue to be cautious about their spending, Amazon’s focus on cheaper items could keep it ahead of competitors like Target (TGT+2.53%), Walmart (WMT+0.53%), and discount grocer Aldi, all of which are racing to lower prices in response to changing shopping habits. —

Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024 Over recent months, concerns about inflation and economic stability have kept the Fed on a cautious path, with officials maintaining a close watch on key indicators. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Be especially cautious about implementing AI in areas that may result in adverse decisions being made, such as credit and collection departments. —

Cory McNeley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Despite the bump, homeowners are still being pretty cautious. —

Diana Olick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cautious