What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
admonitive
Example
The teacher gave an admonitive speech to the students who were caught cheating. [admonitive: adjective]
Example
He spoke in an admonitive tone, warning his friend not to make the same mistake again. [admonitive: adjective]
cautionary
Example
The doctor gave a cautionary warning to the patient about the side effects of the medication. [cautionary: adjective]
Example
The company issued a cautionary statement to investors about the potential risks of the new product. [cautionary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cautionary is more commonly used than admonitive in everyday language. Cautionary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while admonitive is less common and more formal, often used in legal or disciplinary settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between admonitive and cautionary?
Admonitive is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while cautionary is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
