cautiously

American  

[kaw-shuhs-lee] / ˈkɔ ʃəs li /

adverb

1. in a way that shows alertness and prudence in a hazardous or uncertain situation; carefully; warily.

   He stepped cautiously onto the loose planks.

   I am cautiously optimistic that both parties will accept the compromise.

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Other Word Forms

• hypercautiously adverb
• ultracautiously adverb
• uncautiously adverb

Etymology

Origin of cautiously

First recorded in 1610–20; cautious ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Steil-Antoni believes things are changing for the better, adding she's "cautiously optimistic" the game will move closer to "some kind of equality in my lifetime".

From BBC

Once he realized I wasn’t leaving, he cautiously emerged from his hiding spot, keeping an arm’s length between us.

From Los Angeles Times

"The decrease... suggests cautiously that the anti-scam strategies and public education measures introduced by the government and industry partners have made it more challenging for scammers to succeed," police said.

From Barron's

However, wildlife officials are cautiously optimistic the outbreak will remain contained.

From Los Angeles Times

He maintains an overweight sector recommendation for financials, although a bit more cautiously.

From Barron's

Related Words

• carefully
• slowly