PRECAUTIONARY Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

precautionary

adjective

Definition of precautionary

as in preventative

concerned with or serving to keep something from happening prior to the game, we moved the furniture out of the way as a precautionary measure

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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 precautionary On Tuesday, the California Department of Transportation closed one southbound lane from Reef Point Drive to Irvine Cove Drive as a precautionary measure until repairs are complete, Caltrans spokesperson Christianne Smith said in an email. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Colorado State Patrol The trooper was rushed to the hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Russian media cited officials saying that nearly 200 people who had been in contact with the woman had been placed under precautionary medical observation. — Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 An aluminum plant near the laboratory instructed staff to wear masks as a precautionary measure. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 In the state of Jalisco, schools were closed Wednesday in 30 municipalities as a precautionary measure. — Mead Gruver, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 He was pinch-hit for in the sixth inning and said after the game that the move was precautionary. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Rapidly depleting oil inventories Saudi Arabia on Friday temporarily closed the East-West pipeline as a precautionary measure following multiple attacks by drones launched from Iraq. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026 One lap later, Leclerc crashed out dramatically at Monza’s final corner, causing the race to be suspended and leaving him in need of a precautionary check up at the track’s medical center. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precautionary

Adjective

These appointments focus on urgent relief, but appointments and follow-ups that take a more preventative approach to identify underlying causes are available, too.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Kerry is an example; thanks to preventative screening, doctors found a nodule in her lung that ended up being cancerous.

— Tara Molina, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of preventative

Adjective

However, until more of that work is completed, preventive shutoffs remain part of the utility's wildfire safety strategy.

— Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Authorities also took preventive measures in the port city of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, ahead of the storm, national Civil Protection Coordinator Laura Velázquez said Monday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of preventive

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precaution

precautionary

precautions

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“Precautionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precautionary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of precautionary

adjective

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