as in careless
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble
an incautious comment got her in political hot water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 incautious
Clearly, holding single parents legally responsible for incautious, negligent or irresponsible parenting could fill up jails and prisons and impoverish such families completely and radically.
—
Ellen Sauerbrey, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
The pace of activity quickens in the final few days and the last hours can be especially perilous to the public interest as legislators make incautious deals to get their own languishing proposals passed.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2024
Nationalists call on the state to punish disloyal actors, such as Western brands, Chinese feminists, and incautious celebrities.
—Chang Che, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024
Yet that may send the message that both borrowers and lenders can continue pursuing incautious practices in the expectation of a bailout.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for incautious
Ellen Sauerbrey, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
The pace of activity quickens in the final few days and the last hours can be especially perilous to the public interest as legislators make incautious deals to get their own languishing proposals passed.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2024
Nationalists call on the state to punish disloyal actors, such as Western brands, Chinese feminists, and incautious celebrities.
—Chang Che, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024
Yet that may send the message that both borrowers and lenders can continue pursuing incautious practices in the expectation of a bailout.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for incautious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incautious
Adjective
-
Bain was cited for careless driving at the time, but the charge was later dropped before Betts’ death.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In May 2024, Kansas City Chiefs team doctor Michael Monaco pleaded guilty to misdemeanor careless driving after fatally striking a man who had gotten out of his car to help the driver of a Chevrolet Equinox that had flipped over in November 2023.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some have branded it unsafe and unworkable, citing their concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Witnesses saw the driver speeding and making unsafe lane changes on the bridge, police said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Feeling restless and reckless, Michael (LJ Benet) is drawn to a hard-rocking local band that is secretly a quartet of young vampires that is literally sucking the life out of the community.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The vast majority of drivers stop speeding after one or two camera violations, but a small and extremely reckless group of super speeders flagrantly endanger themselves and everyone around them.—
Mike Flynn,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incautious. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
