overcautious

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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcautious
Adjective
  • The indie follows Christie, a timid 30-something who, after an unexpected positive pregnancy test, convinces her free-spirited best friend Ally (Ruffin) to help her track down her birth mother.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Sam, meanwhile, is a more timid RA with a longtime girlfriend (Maisy Stella).
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The duo have been cautious in their classification, allowing for the possibility that a torus of material could be behind the observations.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Wicks’ modest-but-devoted flock includes devout church lady Martha Delacroix (Close), circumspect groundskeeper Samson Holt (Church), tightly-wound lawyer Vera Draven, Esq.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The fact that McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin were close was apparent to acquaintances, although some said the two were circumspect about a relationship.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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