as in timid
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Recent Examples of overcautious
Beyond its rejection of militia involvement, the United States has also been criticized for overcautious use of air strikes and for its slow and insufficient delivery of military equipment to Iraqi armed forces.
—
Nussaibah Younis, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2015
In this light, district actions reflect concern for the future — which supporters see as prudent and critics as overcautious.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024
And yet, since the spring of 2021, pundits have mocked people who continue to think this way for being irrational and overcautious, and government officials have consistently framed COVID as a matter of personal responsibility.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2022
Or, at least, overcautious, overwatchful young men and women.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
Be overcautious and a perfectly clear day goes to waste; be too bold and put the performers, audience and equipment at risk.
—Abby Carney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2021
Some parents said the new rules were overcautious and counterproductive.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021
But Fauci has turned into the perpetually pessimistic, overcautious, position-shifting, administration-pleasing face of the pandemic recovery.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Apr. 2021
The risk of a dangerous vaccine reaction could be very real, if also very rare—and major European vaccine authorities have not, in fact, been overcautious, political, or innumerate in responding to this possibility.
—Hilda Bastian, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2021
Nussaibah Younis, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2015
In this light, district actions reflect concern for the future — which supporters see as prudent and critics as overcautious.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024
And yet, since the spring of 2021, pundits have mocked people who continue to think this way for being irrational and overcautious, and government officials have consistently framed COVID as a matter of personal responsibility.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2022
Or, at least, overcautious, overwatchful young men and women.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
Be overcautious and a perfectly clear day goes to waste; be too bold and put the performers, audience and equipment at risk.
—Abby Carney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2021
Some parents said the new rules were overcautious and counterproductive.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021
But Fauci has turned into the perpetually pessimistic, overcautious, position-shifting, administration-pleasing face of the pandemic recovery.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Apr. 2021
The risk of a dangerous vaccine reaction could be very real, if also very rare—and major European vaccine authorities have not, in fact, been overcautious, political, or innumerate in responding to this possibility.
—Hilda Bastian, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcautious
Adjective
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Although timid at first, Sarah has now let her personality shine.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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Putin played the timid souls of these make-America-weak policymakers like a violin.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Teams tend to be especially cautious with injuries this time of year.—
Garrett Chorpenning,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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With such long-term uncertainty, customers are rightly cautious about parting with their money.—
Jo Causon,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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If the brothers are coy and circumspect about their personal lives, their working relationship is slightly less obtuse.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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Victor is sharply candid about mental health and, in equal measure, circumspect of those who are not.—
Jen Wang,
Vogue,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcautious. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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