Synonyms of cautious

cautious

adjective

ˈkȯ-shəs 

as in careful

having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble

a cautious approach to everyday living

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careful
• wary
• alert
• circumspect
• considerate
• conservative
• guarded
• chary
• heedful
• safe
• thoughtful
• gingerly
• vigilant
• watchful
• attentive
• observant
• regardful
• awake
• slow
• deliberate
• shrewd
• foresighted
• cagey
• provident
• hypercautious
• calculating
• forethoughtful
• canny
• advertent
• cagy
• foresightful
• ultracautious
• ultracareful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careless
• reckless
• unsafe
• bold
• impetuous
• unmindful
• heedless
• regardless
• unwary
• rash
• unguarded
• venturesome
• negligent
• thoughtless
• brash
• incautious
• inattentive
• lax
• inconsiderate
• imprudent
• asleep
• neglectful
• remiss
• indiscreet
• injudicious
• forgetful
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unplanned
• absentminded

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cautious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cautious are chary, circumspect, and wary. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When is it sensible to use chary instead of cautious?

The synonyms chary and cautious are sometimes interchangeable, but chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

When can circumspect be used instead of cautious?

While the synonyms circumspect and cautious are close in meaning, circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

Where would wary be a reasonable alternative to cautious?

Although the words wary and cautious have much in common, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cautious

Mei is more cautious, however, saying that, while trade tensions will impact investments, financial hubs like Singapore may relatively be spared the worst, while countries largely dependent on trade will be hit hardest. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

Together, these developments highlight the pressure facing retailers: rising input costs, unpredictable trade policy, and a consumer base increasingly cautious about spending. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 9 Apr. 2025

With no way to legally enter the U.S., the mood among migrants still in Tijuana has shifted from cautious optimism to hopelessness. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025

The $67 billion spending plan approved in the waning hours of the legislative session stakes out an appropriately cautious middle ground. —Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2025