cautionary tale

[kaw-shuh-ner-ee teyl] / ˈkɔ ʃəˌnɛr i ˈteɪl /

NOUN

piece of advice

Synonyms

WEAK

a few words of wisdom admonition advisory caution light caveat deterrent example enough said event illustrating a hazard forewarning hint lesson message moral omen portent red flag sign of things to come wake-up call warning word to the wise

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.

The 2021 “transitory” episode is a relevant cautionary tale.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

She feels Didion’s novel urges women to reconnect with themselves, using protagonist Maria as a cautionary tale.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The sport has already lived through the cautionary tale of Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao, which shattered records when it finally happened but fell flat.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant open their book User Friendly with the cautionary tale of the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

I think maybe I’m missing some kind of self-preservation alarm in my head because this has cautionary tale written all over it.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy