overcautious

adjective

over·​caut·​ious ˌō-vər-ˈkȯ-shəs How to pronounce overcautious (audio)
: too cautious : overcareful
an overcautious driver
Some vigilance is advisable, but there is a risk in parents being overcautious.Peter McGuire
overcautiously adverb
investing overcautiously

Examples of overcautious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The record’s riveting narrative and political conscience stood out in an age of generic radio fare and overcautious stars. Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025 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 Or, at least, overcautious, overwatchful young men and women. Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023 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 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 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 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

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcautious was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcautious. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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