WARNING Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

warning 1 of 3

noun

ˈwȯr-niŋ

Definition of warning

as in caution

the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk she delivered a strict warning that anyone who was caught stealing would be fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in sign

something that tells of approaching danger or risk the ominously darkening sky was a warning that a tornado was approaching

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

warning

2 of 3

adjective

as in cautionary

serving as or offering a warning usually gave her trademark warning look when the children were getting out of hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

warning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of warn

as in alerting

to give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk the lifeguard warned the boys that if they continued playing so rough, someone was sure to get hurt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of warning

Noun

The warning applies to visitors who interacted with the animals either at the petting zoo's location in Harmony, North Carolina, or at off-site events hosted across several counties in the state. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Much of Alaska’s interior was under a red-flag warning because of high temperatures, dry fuels, and strong winds. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations. — Scott Sonner, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021 In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases. — Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020

Verb

The Harford County Health Department is warning its residents that a groundhog tested positive for rabies in the area. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 But the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters have steadfastly opposed the merger, warning about its potential impact on working writers and film crews. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning

Noun

In light of the strong growth and inflation figures, the BOK would likely need to continue to raise rates, albeit with some caution, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
His predictions mostly involved preaching to the AI evangelist choir, and his fervor for the tech evidently led him to throw caution to the winds of Wall Street.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of caution

Noun

But rather than placing a higher hurdle on the bill, the maneuver is considered a sign of its popularity as a temporary stopgap.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Mars in your sign challenges disciplined Saturn, creating the deeply irritating experience of feeling motivated and blocked at the same time.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sign

Adjective

So the trade might also turn out to be a cautionary preemptive move if the NFL determines Nacua violated the league’s personal-conduct policy and suspends him.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Collins, Scott, and Whitmer spent much of the past year and a half framing their objections as cautionary.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cautionary

Verb

Higher-than-average TSH readings occur when the body attempts to compensate for low hormone levels by alerting the thyroid to produce more.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Most notable were the startling bear signs, alerting us to the presence of Asian black bears in the area.

— Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of alerting

Noun

That forewarning came to pass, with the Galaxy S26 launching at a higher price than its predecessor in select markets.

— Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2026
More than a forewarning, the project is an open invitation into the Texan’s sonic world, drawing on elements from an array of genres.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 26 Feb. 2026

Definition of forewarning

Adjective

And while the formal rules on travel have relaxed, the admonitory official language is unchanged.

— John Liu, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2023
Satire has always had an admonitory function, and besides, some people are so obnoxious that a writer has to slow-walk the reader through their awfulness.

— Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 11 May 2022

Definition of admonitory

Verb

Lacking credibility While the grand jury found Hay’s testimony transparent and credible, the testimony of Jeff Aaron, the lawyer advising the Hope Florida Foundation’s board, was not, according to the report.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Pitchers are disguising their four-seamers up with more cutters in than ever before, so just advising him to be more aggressive in the zone is not good enough.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of advising

Browse Nearby Words

warned

warning

warnings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of warning

noun

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes