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.

Bass, they note, is a more cautious political figure than Pratt, a brash online influencer who relished playing the role of villain on MTV’s “The Hills.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

For now, the findings support a practical but cautious message: nutrition may be one piece of the anxiety puzzle, but it is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

But he’s not expecting the mark-downs to entice cautious customers.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

That means the jobs picture likely isn’t weak enough to justify cautious easing.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

After that, having been so cautious up till then, he was careless.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

Vocabulary lists containing cautious

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