View synonyms for

warn

[ wawrn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to give notice, advice, or intimation to (a person, group, etc.) of danger, impending evil, possible harm, or anything else unfavorable:
They warned him of a plot against him. She was warned that her life was in danger.
Synonyms:
to urge or advise to be careful; caution:
to warn a careless driver.
to admonish or exhort, as to action or conduct:
She warned her employees to be on time.
to notify, advise, or inform:
to warn a person of an intended visit.
to give notice to (a person, group, etc.) to go, keep at a distance, etc. (often followed by away, off, etc.):
A sign warns trespassers off the grounds. A marker warned boats away from the dock.
to give authoritative or formal notice to (someone); order; summon:
to warn a person to appear in court.

verb (used without object)

to give a warning; caution:
to warn of further disasters.

warn

/ ��ɔː�� /

verb

to notify or make (someone) aware of danger, harm, etc
tr; often takes a negative and an infinitive to advise or admonish (someone) as to action, conduct, etc
I warn you not to do that again
takes a clause as object or an infinitive to inform (someone) in advance
he warned them that he would arrive late
tr; usually foll by away, off, etc to give notice to go away, be off, etc
he warned the trespassers off his ground

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Derived Forms

ˈ�ɲ��Ա��, noun

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Other Word Forms

�ɲ��İ� noun
��·�ɲ�� verb (used with object)
��·�ɲ�� verb (used with object)
�ܲ�·�ɲ��Ա�� adjective
�ɱ��-�ɲ��Ա�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of warn¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English warnen, Old English warnian; cognate with German warnen; ware ²

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Word History and Origins

Origin of warn¹

Old English wearnian; related to Old High German �ɲ��ŧ��, Old Norse varna to refuse

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Synonym Study

Warn, caution, admonish imply attempting to prevent another from running into danger or getting into unpleasant or undesirable circumstances. To warn is to speak plainly and usually in strong terms: to warn him about danger and possible penalties. To caution is to advise about necessary precautions, to put one on one's guard about possibly harmful circumstances or conditions, thus emphasizing avoidance of undesirable consequences: to caution him against driving in such weather. Admonish suggests giving earnest, authoritative advice with only tacit references to danger or penalty: to admonish a person for neglecting his duties.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He also warns against the "alarmist" tone of the debate on climate change, which he says is "riven with irrationality".

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Ruto has previously defended police against accusations of brutality and recently warned Kenyans against commenting on military matters.

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The power grid operator warned earlier this year of the risks of excessive renewable energy while closing nuclear plants.

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A senior UN humanitarian official in Gaza warned "a lack of real accountability undermines international law and makes the world a more dangerous place".

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Sportswear giant Adidas has warned import taxes imposed by President Donald Trump will lead to higher prices in the US for popular trainers including the Gazelle and Samba.

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Related Words

warm welcome Warne

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