overcautious
Too careful always
Overcautious means excessively careful or wary, to a degree that becomes counterproductive or unnecessary.
Someone overcautious about investing might miss good opportunities.
An overcautious driver frustrates others by going too slow or stopping when they needn't.
The word implies the caution has crossed from prudent to excessive: Don't be overcautious—sometimes you have to take a risk.
Troubled mental state
- fearfulFull of fright
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- tenseStrained or nervous
uneasy · jittery · stressed · paranoid · fretful · panicky · dread · hypervigilant
Having sound assessment skills
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
foresighted · conservative · measured · calculated · methodical · scrupulous · thorough · painstaking
Wary and restrained
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- charyCautiously reluctant
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- leeryCautiously distrustful
distrustful · defensive · safe · protective · sheltering · overprotective · bubble-wrap · helicopter
Lacking courage or confidence
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waryGuardedly alert
- reluctantUnwilling to act
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
shy · insecure · pause · delay · foot-dragging · gun-shy · reticent · slow-moving
Prolonged indecisive hesitation
- vacillateWaver between choices
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- uncertainNot firmly known
irresolute · undecided · flip-flop · noncommittal · oscillate · second-guess · wishy-washy · hemming
worry
Troubled mental state
- fearfulFull of fright
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
tense · uneasy · jittery · stressed · paranoid · fretful · panicky · dread · hypervigilant · restless
judicious
Having sound assessment skills
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- carefulExercising caution and attention
meticulous · foresighted · conservative · measured · calculated · methodical · scrupulous · thorough · painstaking · belt-and-suspenders
guarded
Wary and restrained
leery · distrustful · defensive · safe · protective · sheltering · overprotective · bubble-wrap · helicopter · smothering
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
faltering · shy · insecure · pause · delay · foot-dragging · gun-shy · reticent · slow-moving · halting
dithering
Prolonged indecisive hesitation
- vacillateWaver between choices
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
uncertain · irresolute · undecided · flip-flop · noncommittal · oscillate · second-guess · wishy-washy · hemming · hawing
- overparentinghelicopter parenting, helicopter parent, overprotective, overprotection, overprotecting
caution, cautious, precaution, cautiously, incautious, cautions, cautionary, precautions, precautionary