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

Rather than adding new reconnaissance satellites, the system will process imagery from existing sources, helping Taiwan improve early warning as Beijing continues to increase military pressure around the island. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 But the eleventh-hour blitz of No On 3 ads that Keep Florida Clean funded, warning of the greed of Big Weed, inflamed voters’ private worries of societal decay. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 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 evacuation warning for their Capistrano Beach home was lifted, so they were headed home. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a final appeal to voters considering a path toward independence in his home province of Alberta on Friday, warning that a referendum is a dangerous gamble at a time of growing threats to Canada’s sovereignty. — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for warning

Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning

Noun

The result is a power train that feels beautifully matched to the car’s available grip and suspension tuning, creating a sense of balance that encourages exploration rather than caution.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Energy is where the tension between optimism and caution remains sharpest.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of caution

Verb

The post was quickly deleted, but Inaba saw it and commented on her own Instagram, thanking the media for alerting her to his remark.

— Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
The second half was delayed for 20 minutes due to a siren going off in the area alerting them to a possible attack — none materialised — with players and staff having to take refuge in the stadium’s shelter.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of alerting

Noun

Highway Superintendent Jim Polarek had already given county officials a forewarning at a recent meeting to discuss how to pay for storm recovery efforts that the requests were coming.

— Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of forewarning

Noun

The red flag warning put out by the National Weather Service (NWS) Wednesday evening follows a relatively quiet wildfire season so far in California.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Can President Trump hold his fraying coalition together, or will these red flags lead to a blue wave?

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of red flag

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

The indictment alleges that both men oversaw the dogs, with Stinson advising his son on their proper care.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Barker recalled giving a mutual guy friend some dating advice about just having fun and hooking up with women, advising him to think of dating as a sport, while trying to not get too emotionally invested.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of advising

Browse Nearby Words

warned

warning

warnings

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of warning

noun

adjective

verb

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