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.

Investors who were stung by the plunge in crude prices after last week’s cease-fire might be cautious about piling back in, said hedge-fund manager Pierre Andurand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Snow levels are expected to drop at high elevations, but some places, such as the northern Ventura County mountains, could have wet snow, so drivers should be cautious.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

“I remain very cautious about OpenAI and continue to think that it and Anthropic will offer very little to investors at IPO,” Windsor wrote.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

That cautious approach, Parrot says, is rooted in the club's role as the standard-bearer for a former mining heartland.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

And I explained that I was fine, just trying to be careful, just trying to be cautious with my knee, and also my fingers were cold, so that was enough clam digging for me.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing cautious

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