cautionary

[ kaw-shuh-ner-ee ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or containing a warning:

   cautionary advice; a cautionary tale.

cautionary

/ ˈkɔːʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as a warning; intended to warn

   a cautionary tale

Word History and Origins

Origin of cautionary¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; caution + -ary

Example Sentences

The finding is “at the very least a cautionary tale,” says study author Julie Cosmidis, a geomicrobiologist at the University of Oxford.

From Science News

The Secret History is a cautionary tale about how certain strategies of hatred persist over time, manifesting themselves in various forms with the same tropes and characters.

From Time

Scientists believe vaccines will probably remain effective because they produce a robust immune system response, but such reassurances have been paired with cautionary notes about how much remains unknown.

From Washington Post

So, plainly cautionary tale — a little bit of knowledge is potentially dangerous.

From Freakonomics

The dramatic rise and fall of Nikola over just a few months was this year’s cautionary tale.

From Fortune

As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale.

From The Daily Beast

Whilst Whitacre never defined himself as an “ally,” this remains a cautionary tale of what not to do.

From The Daily Beast

A truly cautionary tale of a 77-year-old versus the Internet.

From The Daily Beast

In Ireland, the name of Sean Quinn will be forever linked in the public mind as the ultimate cautionary tale of riches to rags.

From The Daily Beast

Gerald Ford and the swine flu pandemic that never happened in 1976 is a cautionary tale that government action can backfire.

From The Daily Beast

There were a few cryptic cautionary references to heightened physico-psychological effects.

From Project Gutenberg

Plodder's cautionary signal had been hoisted to some purpose after all.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman's intuitions do not ask to have a cautionary signal repeated.

From Project Gutenberg

I here append a few cautionary hints which must be taken if you wish to dress well.

From Project Gutenberg

"A close column forming column of fours," he cried in a shrill treble, quoting the cautionary part of his command.

From Project Gutenberg