precaution
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for precaution, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An action taken in advance to prevent a problem or reduce a risk.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use precaution
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take precautions
safety precaution
as a precaution
Etymology
From French "précaution," from Latin "praecautio," from "praecavere" ("to guard against beforehand") — combining "prae" ("before") and "cavere" ("to be careful").
Full origin of precaution →Frequently asked questions
What does “precaution” mean?
The word “precaution” means an action taken in advance to prevent a problem or reduce a risk. In plain terms, something you do ahead of time to stay safe or avoid trouble later.
How do you pronounce “precaution”?
“Precaution” is pronounced pree-KAW-shuhn (/pɹiːˈkɔ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “precaution” in a sentence?
Here is “precaution” used in a sentence: “Wearing a helmet is a simple precaution that can prevent serious injury.”
What is another word for “precaution”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precaution” include forecaution.
What part of speech is “precaution”?
“Precaution” is a noun.
Where does the word “precaution” come from?
The word “precaution” comes from Latin. From French "précaution," from Latin "praecautio," from "praecavere" ("to guard against beforehand") — combining "prae" ("before") and "cavere" ("to be careful").
Is “precaution” a common word?
“Precaution” is an uncommon word in modern English.
