INCAUTIOUS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

incautious

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkȯ-shəs

Definition of incautious

as in careless

not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble an incautious comment got her in political hot water

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of incautious Thieves on foot or on motorbikes snatch cellphones from incautious tourists. — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Clearly, holding single parents legally responsible for incautious, negligent or irresponsible parenting could fill up jails and prisons and impoverish such families completely and radically. — Ellen Sauerbrey, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025 The pace of activity quickens in the final few days and the last hours can be especially perilous to the public interest as legislators make incautious deals to get their own languishing proposals passed. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2024 Nationalists call on the state to punish disloyal actors, such as Western brands, Chinese feminists, and incautious celebrities. — Chang Che, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for incautious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incautious

Adjective

As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution amended the first charge to reckless driving, second offense, and the second charge to a careless driving citation.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Steele accepted the reduced charge, along with a separate careless-driving citation, and suspended the athlete’s driver’s license for five years.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

The North Lawn tenants had been involved in a yearslong dispute with multiple landlords over unsafe living conditions.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Well-loved and used items that are broken, damaged beyond repair, unsafe, or heavily stained or soiled should be thrown out.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

Pearson faces charges of second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a safety certificate and failure to keep a proper lookout.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The other two teens were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of reckless

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incaution

incautious

incautiously

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“Incautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incautious. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of incautious

adjective

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