warning 1 of 3

noun

ˈwȯr-niŋ How to pronounce warning (audio)
Definition of warningnext
1
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

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2
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

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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
Ultimately, Sweden was granted an exemption from the ban in exchange for stricter warning labels. — Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Before the stakes got even higher, there was a warning about what was happening as AI expanded. — Kara Swisher, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2025
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
Your local television forecast, weather App, and warning information depends on government satellites, radars, models, observations, and personnel. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 Even the mainstream media is warning users away from RCS, leaving Google with some thinking to do. — Zak Doffman, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for warning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for warning
  1. caution
  2. sign
  3. forewarning
  4. red light
  5. admonitory
  6. advising
  7. alert
  8. red flag
Noun
  • One of the main topics of discussion included a real-word anecdote that speaks to the caution companies and individuals must take in handling this new technology.
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But other reports on consumer sentiment and retail sales have revealed rising caution from consumers.
    — Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of caution
Noun
  • When the discussion plunges as deep as Gary Mabbutt and Swap Shop, that’s a sure sign that the game is not as enticing as normal.
    — Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This follows a year of concerning signs from the region, including intense wildfires and thawing permafrost pumping out planet-heating pollution.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of sign
Noun
  • Hall’s healthy scratch for the Nov. 11 game against the Canucks in Vancouver came with no forewarning from Richardson, who said Hall needed a game to reset.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The news of the limited edition Trump cards was also shared with a forewarning that certain Metro stations will be closed on Inauguration Day, including McPherson Square and Smithsonian stops.
    — Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Oct. 2024
Definition of forewarning
Noun
  • Netflix’s first season of Temptation Island was filled with cheating men, frustrated women, and lots of flashing red lights as folks repeatedly hooked up in an outdoor tent.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Tesla owners routinely upload video of their vehicles doing dangerous maneuvers while operating in FSD mode, like nearly colliding with other vehicles on a highway exit ramp in New Jersey or running red lights in China.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of red light
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
  • On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Universities in general are taking a cautious approach, stopping short of predicting a ban, but advising international students to plan ahead and prepare for potential delays at immigration control.
    — Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of advising
Noun
  • The traffic alert was reported Friday at 7 a.m., and the latest update about this incident was released on Wednesday at 3:04 a.m.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This alert is in effect until 8 p.m. Source: The National Weather Service This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of alert
Noun
  • The severe weather outbreak is all part of a major cross-country storm system that is also prompting fire danger and red flag warnings across the Plains.
    — Melissa Griffin, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The National Weather Service has also issued a red flag warning for much of the state on Friday, which means that a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds in the area has formed critical fire weather conditions.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of red flag

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Cite this Entry

“Warning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/warning. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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