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
-
And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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The film follows Colin (Harry Melling), a timid man who is swept off of his feet by Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), an impossibly handsome biker, who takes him on as his submissive.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that cautious optimism among exiles is tempered by concern they could be cut out.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The key takeaway is that consumers are cautious, and the execution of early applications of AI in fashion is what’s holding them back right now.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many other Wall Streeters were more circumspect.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
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But the research also suggests that social media use is becoming more passive and circumspect — around half of adult social media users (49 percent) now actively post, share, or comment — down from 61 percent in 2024.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcautious. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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