incaution
Lack of prudence
Incaution is lack of caution—carelessness or recklessness.
The word is formal and uncommon, appearing mostly in writing: His incaution around heavy machinery nearly cost him a hand.
The adjective incautious sees more use.
Imprudent haste in action
- foolhardinessReckless bravery, unwise daring
- temerityReckless audacity
- brashnessHasty, overconfident manner
- impetuousnessRash, unthinking haste
audacity · overconfidence · daredevilry · adventurism · wildness · unwariness · venturesomeness · harebrained
Lack of careful consideration
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
- inattentionLack of focus
- unmindfulnessLack of conscious attention
- imprudenceUnwise decision-making
indiscretion · negligence · oversight · laxity · slackness · remissness · irresponsibility · dereliction
Acting without forethought
- impetuousnessRash, unthinking haste
- whimSudden arbitrary desire
- capriceUnpredictable urge or notion
- snap-decisionHasty judgment made instantly
impulse · spur-of-the-moment · hastiness · precipitateness · unconsidered · unthinking · unreflecting · knee-jerk
Stake on uncertain outcome
- hazardSource of potential harm
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- exposureState of being unprotected
jeopardy · vulnerability · chance · peril · danger · precariousness · uncertainty · insecurity
rashness
Imprudent haste in action
- foolhardinessReckless bravery, unwise daring
- temerityReckless audacity
- brashnessHasty, overconfident manner
impetuousness · audacity · overconfidence · daredevilry · adventurism · wildness · unwariness · venturesomeness · harebrained · hotheadedness
thoughtlessness
Lack of careful consideration
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
- inattentionLack of focus
- unmindfulnessLack of conscious attention
imprudence · indiscretion · negligence · oversight · laxity · slackness · remissness · irresponsibility · dereliction · disregard
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
- impetuousnessRash, unthinking haste
- whimSudden arbitrary desire
- capriceUnpredictable urge or notion
snap-decision · impulse · spur-of-the-moment · hastiness · precipitateness · unconsidered · unthinking · unreflecting · knee-jerk · offhand
gamble
Stake on uncertain outcome
- hazardSource of potential harm
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
exposure · jeopardy · vulnerability · chance · peril · danger · precariousness · uncertainty · insecurity · liability
- impulsivityimpulsiveness, impulsivity, rashness, recklessness, hastiness
- recklessnessrecklessness, carelessness, negligence, impulsiveness, rashness
- foolishnessfoolishness, silliness, foolish, stupid, folly
incautioncaution
Careful attention to risk
prudence · carefulness · cautiousness · circumspection · care