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Synonyms

overcautious

American  
[oh-ver-kaw-shuhs] / ˈoʊ vərˈkɔ ʃəs /

adjective

  1. excessively or unnecessarily cautious.

    Sometimes it doesn't pay to be overcautious in business.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of overcautious

First recorded in 1700–10; over- + cautious


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The collective impact of all of this neurotic, overcautious hand-wringing was to communicate indifference to the voters.

From Slate ● Jan. 6, 2025

But Alan Rusbridger, who sits on Meta's Oversight Board, says the industry has been "overcautious" in its moderation.

From BBC ● May 31, 2023

And because our bodies would much rather we be overcautious, our recollections of agony are often exaggerated.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 30, 2022

Be overcautious and a perfectly clear day goes to waste; be too bold and put the performers, audience and equipment at risk.

From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2021

The first two boys to face the varsity players were both overcautious, spareboned, young, and fearful of sudden error and humiliation.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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