cautionary
When something is cautionary, it’s meant to be a warning to you. Your parents might be fond of telling cautionary tales, like the one about the girl who got electrocuted sticking a knife into the toaster.
While driving, look for cautionary signs warning you of potential danger: falling rocks, kids crossing, hidden driveway. You might use cautionary words: “Watch your step! There’s glass all over the floor!” Don’t confuse cautionary with cautious, which means trying to avoid danger. Tell a cautionary tale about someone drowning because he swam too far out into the ocean and an overly cautious kid might decide never to swim again.
-
serving to warnsynonyms: admonitory, exemplary, monitory, warningdissuasivedeterring from action
-
warding offsynonyms: prophylacticprotectiveintended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing cautionary
On the ACT Reading Test, you will almost certainly encounter questions that ask about an author's tone — that is, the author's attitude toward their subject matter. Master our comprehensive collection of common words used to describe an author's tone, and you'll be well prepared to tackle these questions.
Questions on the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Test will ask you to identify an author's tone, purpose, or point of view. Practice these lists to familiarize yourself with common words used to describe an author's attitude or perspective.
In this book, Mark Kurlansky explores threats to the world's oceans and fish populations and describes ways that young people can support sustainable fishing.