cautionary

American  

[kaw-shuh-ner-ee] / ˈkɔ ʃəˌnɛr i /

adjective

1. of the nature of or containing a warning.

   cautionary advice; a cautionary tale.

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cautionary British  

/ ˈkɔːʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as a warning; intended to warn

   a cautionary tale

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Etymology

Origin of cautionary

First recorded in 1590–1600; caution + -ary

Example Sentences

Instead, it became a cautionary tale about the perils of governing-by-influencer.

From Salon

Before anyone starts quoting the cautionary tale of Jaden Smith, another kid whisked into acting by his musician father Will Smith, let me say that Jaden, too, was a good young performer.

From Los Angeles Times

The risk is that the U.K.’s contribution to the golden age is a cautionary tale about the cost of these megaprojects as the U.S. advances its own nuclear buildout.

From The Wall Street Journal

Disappointing guidance and cautionary notes about housing demand from two large home improvement retailers were likely behind the slide.

From Barron's

This is a cautionary tale for anyone contemplating giving away their legal agency.

From MarketWatch