overcaution

noun

over·​cau·​tion ˌō-vər-ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce overcaution (audio)
: an excess of caution
… he readily admits there is a thin line between caution and overcautionRon Borges
I'm afraid many of us parents err on the side of overcautionKen Potts

Examples of overcaution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To date, Biden and his advisers have hewed to caution, even overcaution. Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2021 To date Biden and his advisers have hewed to caution, even overcaution. BostonGlobe.com, 27 Apr. 2021 Time will tell whether the Big Ten’s decision was wise, whether the factors that drove it to become the first Power Five conference to postpone football this fall will represent foresight or overcaution. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overcaution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcaution was in 1690

Dictionary Entries Near overcaution

Cite this Entry

“Overcaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcaution. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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