as in timid
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Recent Examples of overcautious
The uncomfortable truth is that finance leaders are repeating the exact same pattern of overcautious adoption that cost them months of competitive advantage with generative AI.
—
David Zwick, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
David Zwick, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcautious
Adjective
-
Even Reach's multiplayer took bold new steps, with the introduction of new mechanics and timid moves towards player classes.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The timid girl, the ruffian guy.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
During the preview, a mischievous group of young diplodocus splash in the water around a pair of kayaking guests, while other juveniles like the triceratops are more cautious in nature, choosing to stick close to their parents.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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The Dodgers are being cautious.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
He was gone for two years, returning to the Caribbean in 1509, and in his later writings was circumspect about his own service to the Conquest.—
Greg Grandin
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Although Harris earned a reputation as guarded and circumspect, the book has the tone of someone who is finished biting her tongue.—
Chris Megerian,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcautious. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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