as in timid
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Recent Examples of overcautious
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
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
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
Or, at least, overcautious, overwatchful young men and women.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
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
Some parents said the new rules were overcautious and counterproductive.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 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
The risk of a dangerous vaccine reaction could be very real, if also very rare—and major European vaccine authorities have not, in fact, been overcautious, political, or innumerate in responding to this possibility.
—Hilda Bastian, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2021
Nussaibah Younis, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2015
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
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
Or, at least, overcautious, overwatchful young men and women.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
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
Some parents said the new rules were overcautious and counterproductive.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 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
The risk of a dangerous vaccine reaction could be very real, if also very rare—and major European vaccine authorities have not, in fact, been overcautious, political, or innumerate in responding to this possibility.
—Hilda Bastian, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcautious
Adjective
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Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar Key Cast: Yami Gautam Dhar, Pratik Gandhi, Eijaz Khan, Prateik Babbar, Mukul Chadda A high-energy adventure following a timid momma’s boy and a daring wild child who find themselves on the run from ruthless goons on their wedding night.—
Patrick Brzeski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Feb. 2025
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Some have shared their tips on how the video's creator could approach the timid canine.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The employment sub-index also slumped to the lowest level in nearly five years, as businesses remained cautious amid economic uncertainty.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
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Doral Mayor Christi Fraga struck a more cautious tone.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Congress almost always ultimately approves aid for areas desperately in need, and lawmakers whose states have experienced the need were more circumspect.—
David Lightman,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Jan. 2025
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Editors’ Picks 36 Hours in Barbados Economists are more circumspect.—
Andrew Duehren,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near overcautious
Cite this Entry
“Overcautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcautious. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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