Definitions

cautious

[kaw-shuhs] / ˈkɔ ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

careful, guarded

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circumspect discreet judicious leery prudent tentative vigilant wary watchful

STRONG

alert safe

WEAK

all ears cagey calculating chary considerate forethoughtful gingerly hedging one's bets heedful keeping on one's toes on the lookout playing it cool playing safe politic provident pussyfoot shrewd taking it easy taking it slow thinking twice walking on eggs watching one's step watching out with one's eyes peeled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless certain foolish inattentive incautious indiscreet negligent rash reckless sure thoughtless uncareful unwise

WEAK

hasty heedless imprudent unguarded unobservant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

—European stock indexes largely gained at market open in cautious early trade.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

"That's why we have been taking different sorts of measures to try to protect ourselves - like being cautious all the time, looking around, trying to even adopt some maybe anti-following tactics."

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Wall Street is cautious whether the stock could further go up.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The measure passed Wednesday stops short of a categorical ban that some have sought, but was still met with cautious optimism by traffic safety reformers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

“I mentioned no names, you will observe.—Oh! no; cautious as a minister of state. I managed it extremely well.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Vocabulary lists containing cautious

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