hypercaution
Too much vigilance
Hypercaution is excessive caution—being so careful that it becomes counterproductive or paralyzing.
The prefix hyper- signals going beyond normal prudence into something closer to anxiety or overcorrection: The committee's hypercaution led to months of delays on a routine decision.
Often implies that the cautious approach creates its own problems.
Emotional response to threat
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
dread · panic · unease · overthinking · catastrophizing · hypervigilance · rumination · stress
Exercising sound judgment
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- waryGuardedly alert
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- guardedWary and restrained
hesitant · tentative · meticulous · scrupulous · chary · timid · belt-and-suspenders · second-guessing
Control over impulses
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- self-censorshipRestraining one's own expression
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- indecisionFailure to decide
overcorrection · reticence · reserve · tentativeness · deliberation · self-doubt · stifling · suppression
Sense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
obsession · wiretapping · bugging · infiltration · sabotage · hyperalert · watchfulness · espionage
Rotary-wing aircraft
- smotheringDepriving of air
- coddlingOverindulgent, protective treatment
- hoveringSuspended without support
- shieldingProtecting from harm
suffocating · controlling · intrusive · paternalistic · maternalistic · sheltering · micromanaging · safeguarding
fear
Emotional response to threat
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
nervousness · dread · panic · unease · overthinking · catastrophizing · hypervigilance · rumination · stress · tension
prudent
Exercising sound judgment
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- waryGuardedly alert
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
guarded · hesitant · tentative · meticulous · scrupulous · chary · timid · belt-and-suspenders · second-guessing · hedging
restraint
Control over impulses
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- self-censorshipRestraining one's own expression
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
indecision · overcorrection · reticence · reserve · tentativeness · deliberation · self-doubt · stifling · suppression · freezing
suspicion
Sense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
persecution · obsession · wiretapping · bugging · infiltration · sabotage · hyperalert · watchfulness · espionage · monitoring
helicopter
Rotary-wing aircraft
- smotheringDepriving of air
- coddlingOverindulgent, protective treatment
- hoveringSuspended without support
shielding · suffocating · controlling · intrusive · paternalistic · maternalistic · sheltering · micromanaging · safeguarding · overbearing
hypercautionrecklessness
Careless disregard for danger
reckless abandon · foolhardiness · rashness · carelessness · daredevilry
hypercautionimpulsiveness
Acting without forethought
impulsivity · impetuousness · heedlessness · incaution · imprudence