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overcautious

overcautious

3 6.1
Being more careful than needed because you are afraid of risk
  • adjective
  • /ˌoʊvərˈkɔːʃəs/
translation icon : excesivamente cauteloso
  • The trembling worried him and caused him to appear overcautious and hesitant.
  • just overcautious

Examples

  • I cut way back on chocolate with this pregnancy, which is my first, and I may be overcautious about certain foods, but I think it is worth it for peace of mind.

    Blog text (25)
  • No, Sarah was perhaps overcautious, but she did have a point.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Forgive me if I seem overcautious.

  • It's just that I'm a little overcautious.

  • For such a short flight, it seems like you're being overcautious.

  • Well, when it concerns Your Majesty's welfare... ...perhaps I am overcautious.

  • They're being overcautious, hon.

  • She's often considered overcautious because she double-checks everything before taking action.

  • My parents are overcautious about my safety, so they always want me to call them when I arrive somewhere.

  • He is overcautious during his investments, wanting to avoid any financial risk.

Synonyms

too-careful
vsovercautious
31 6.6

Giving too much attention to risk and missing good chances

is caused by worry about danger or mistakes not mere excess
overcareful
vsovercautious
6.1

Too cautious so someone avoids normal activities

is motivated by fear of risk or error not by mere excess
overscrupulous
vsovercautious
8.2

Being too careful about following rules or avoiding mistakes

focuses on fear of risk or error rather than rule obedience
overconscientious
vsovercautious
9.3

Being too careful about doing the right thing or duties, often causing stress

centres on avoiding risk from worry rather than moral duty
overdeliberate
vsovercautious
8.6

Too careful and slow in a way that seems not natural

is motivated by fear of error rather than slow planned action

Antonyms

193 3.6

Acting without care about danger or the results

41 2.9

Not feeling worried or responsible

How Cautious

overcautious
3 6.1
cautious
210 2.9
careless
14 1.0
reckless
193 3.6

Surface Forms

overcautious positive

Morphology

overcautious = cautious (transparent) = over + cautious

The meaning 'excessively cautious' is directly formed by adding the productive prefix 'over-' to the adjective 'cautious'.

Etymology

Overcautious breaks into over- meaning 'too much' and cautious, from caution, an old word for 'careful'. So, overcautious means being 'too careful' and taking more care than needed because of fear of risk.