caution
Prudence before acting
Caution is careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes: Proceed with caution.
A caution is a warning: a word of caution.
To caution someone is to warn them: The doctor cautioned against strenuous activity.
In British legal usage, a caution is a formal warning given to someone who has committed a minor offense, short of criminal charges.
Careful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- warinessCautious distrust
watchfulness · attentiveness · mindfulness · deliberation · foresight · judiciousness · thoughtfulness · heedfulness
Warning or watchfulness
- advisoryNotice recommending action
- noticeBecome aware of
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
admonition · bulletin · notification · guidance · directive · signal · heads-up · red flag
Avoidance of excess
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- reserveSupply kept back
- measureUnit of quantity
balance · sobriety · discipline · self-restraint · conservatism · frugality · economy · abstemiousness
State of being unsure
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- doubtLack of firm belief
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
- indecisionFailure to decide
wariness · apprehension · reservation · qualm · misgiving · trepidation · pause · ambivalence
Indicator of potential danger
- wet floor signSlippery surface warning placard
- safety coneConical roadway warning marker
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- flashing lightIllumination that pulses
guardrail · barrier · speed bump · crosswalk · handrail · safety protocol · risk assessment · protective gear
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
wariness · watchfulness · attentiveness · mindfulness · deliberation · foresight · judiciousness · thoughtfulness · heedfulness · guardedness
alert
Warning or watchfulness
forewarning · admonition · bulletin · notification · guidance · directive · signal · heads-up · red flag · yellow flag
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- reserveSupply kept back
measure · balance · sobriety · discipline · self-restraint · conservatism · frugality · economy · abstemiousness · judiciousness
uncertainty
State of being unsure
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- doubtLack of firm belief
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
indecision · wariness · apprehension · reservation · qualm · misgiving · trepidation · pause · ambivalence · disinclination
warning sign
Indicator of potential danger
- wet floor signSlippery surface warning placard
- safety coneConical roadway warning marker
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
flashing light · guardrail · barrier · speed bump · crosswalk · handrail · safety protocol · risk assessment · protective gear · safety inspection
- carechild care, elder care, health care, home care, medical care
- safety phrasessafe, warning, danger, careful, watch out
- Road Safetyseatbelt, stop sign, speed limit, crosswalk, traffic light
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- assembly instructionsstep one, step two, parts list, diagram, exploded view
- carefulnessattention, attentiveness, care, carefulness, concentration
cautionrecklessness
Careless disregard for danger
carelessness · negligence · heedlessness · rashness · imprudence
cautiondaring
Adventurous courage
boldness · audacity · temerity · bravery · fearlessness
cautionimpetuousness
Rash, unthinking haste
hastiness · precipitousness · rashness · impulsiveness · brashness
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
- throw caution to the windAct recklessly, disregarding consequences
- caution tapeStriped hazard boundary marker
- toss caution to the windDeliberately ignore potential dangers
- proceed with cautionContinue while staying vigilant
- err on the side of cautionPrefer safety over risk
cautious, precaution, incautious, cautioned, cautions, cautionary, precautions, cautioning, precautionary