caution

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

Wariness

Nouns

1. caution, cautiousness, discretion, prudence, heed, circumspection, calculation; coolness, deliberation, forethought, foresight; vigilance, care; warning.

2. (cautious attitude) coolness, self-possession, presence of mind, sangfroid; worldly wisdom, Fabian policy.

3. insurance; provision, precaution(s), steps; safety net, pressure or safetyvalve; preventive measure(s).

Verbs

1. be cautious, take care, take heed, have a care, watch it, look sharp, watch or look out, keep an eye out; mind, be on one's guard, keep watch, watch one's step, keep one's eyes open or peeled, sleep with one eye open, be on one's toes; watch one's step, walk on eggshells or thin ice, make assurance doubly sure, think twice, look before one leaps, count the cost, look to the main chance, feel one's way, see how the land lies, wait to see how the cat jumps; bridle one's tongue; let well enough alone, keep out of harm's way; keep at a respectful distance; timeo Danaos, festina lente; cave canem; caveat emptor; stop, look, and listen.

2. take precautions, make provisions, take steps, guard against; look before one leaps, be on the safe side; lie low, keep a low profile; hedge [one's bets], take out insurance. Informal, play safe.

Adjectives — cautious, prudent, wary; alert, guarded, on one's guard, on the qui vive, on the alert, on watch, on the lookout; awake, broad awake, vigilant; watchful, wakeful, Argus-eyed, wide-awake, expectant; noncommittal; gingerly. Slang, goosey.

Adverbs — cautiously, prudently, warily; askance, with care or caution.

Interjections — take care! be careful! have a care! watch out! watch it! look out!

Phrases — if it ain't broke, don't fix it; don't put all your eggs in one basket; caution is the parent of safety; he who fights and runs away may live to fight another day; look before you leap; don't count your chickens before they are hatched; slow and steady wins the race.

Quotations — The cautious seldom err (Confucius), The better part of valor is discretion (Shakespeare), Prudence is a rich, ugly, old maid courted by Incapacity (William Blake), Tar-baby ain't sayin' nuthin', en Brer Fox, he lay low (Joel Chandler Harris).

Antonyms, See rashness.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [The quality of considering beforehand]

Syn. care, wariness, heed, discretion; see attention 2 , care 1 , prudence .

2. [A warning]

Syn. forewarning, admonition, caveat; see hint 1 , sign 1 , warning .

v.

Syn. forewarn, alert, advise; see advise 1 , warn .

See Synonym Study at advise .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

1. wariness care, prudence, heed, vigilance, discretion, guardedness, circumspection, alertness. ''The eldest child of wisdom.''—Victor Hugo. ''What we call cowardice in others.''—Oscar Wilde.

2. warning admonition, caveat, advisement, *red flag, *word to the wise, advisory.

ANT.: 1. rashness, recklessness

II

v.

warn, admonish, advise, alert, forewarn, *raise a red flag, counsel, *better safe than sorry, *stay on one's toes, *watch one's step, *look before one leaps, *sleep with one eye open.

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I noun 1. Careful forethought to avoid harm or risk: calculation, care, carefulness, chariness, gingerliness, precaution, wariness. See FEAR. 2. Cautious attentiveness: care, carefulness, gingerliness, heed, heedfulness, mindfulness, regard. See CAREFUL. 3. The exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters: circumspection, discretion, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethought, forethoughtfulness, precaution, prudence. See CAREFUL. 4. Advice to beware, as of a person or thing: admonishment, admonition, caveat, monition, warning. See WARN. II verb To notify (someone) of imminent danger or risk: admonish, alarm, alert, forewarn, warn. See WARN.