as in timid
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Recent Examples of overcautious
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
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
-
In it, Luna is seen gently approaching a very timid Ronnie, who is facing away, staring toward the couch.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Arguably, Sweeney — who is almost unrecognizable as the timid and brunette Margaret — steals the show.—
Itzel Luna,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
However, with the growth of social media and consumer advocacy, retailers are being more cautious about communications to prevent backfiring, not only from investors and analysts but from their core customer base.—
Shelley E. Kohan,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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And then finally, layoffs…If prices rise, consumers grow more cautious.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Trump was uncharacteristically restrained and circumspect.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcautious. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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