hypercautious

adjective

Definition of hypercautiousnext
as in cautious

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hypercautious Banks need to be hypercautious about their lending activities amid this hostile environment. — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 5 May 2023 For one, pairing Todd Bowles – a coach who is hypercautious with his offensive approach given his intolerance to turnovers – with a player who threw 23 interceptions in the last two years is a recipe for disaster. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypercautious
  1. cautious
  2. careful
  3. wary
  4. circumspect
  5. conservative
  6. guarded
  7. watchful
  8. vigilant
Adjective
  • For now, a Super El Niño offers a reason for cautious optimism — not a promise of a drought-busting winter.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • People with certain medical conditions should be particularly cautious about intense, high-speed rides.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Haugen is wary of entering a 10- to 15-year lock up at high interest rates.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The president lost in court, but Democrats are still wary of mail-in voting as the midterm election approaches.
    — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • In the comments section, one resident was frustrated but circumspect.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose religious-nationalist coalition is projected to lose its governing majority at the October 27 election, has been more circumspect.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of circumspect
Adjective
  • Davis’s letter follows a separate ethics complaint filed by a conservative watchdog group to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics over Slotkin’s University of Chicago remarks, first reported by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group of state legislators and private-sector members, cast it as part of a growing bipartisan movement and urged the remaining states to follow.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of conservative
Adjective
  • When that happens, people become more guarded, less open and less willing to engage.
    — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Our spirits remain guarded, but high, for this one; the Venice Film Festival crowd seemed to eat it up.
    — Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024
Definition of guarded
Adjective
  • The sanctuary gave her space to socialize and play in a setting close to her natural habitat under the watchful eyes of adoptive gorilla mothers.
    — Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • John has been groomed by his parents—under the watchful eye of the Guardians—to eventually replace the rule-defying and frequently reckless Hal, who lost both parents.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of watchful
Adjective
  • Lacy said people should always be vigilant when walking in a public space, and urged people to report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Even the ads that are supposedly okay for kids can be overstimulating and aggressive, so try to be vigilant on those, too.
    — Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigilant

Browse Nearby Words

hyperbolizing
hypercautious
hypercivilized
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Cite this Entry

“Hypercautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypercautious. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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