incautious

adjective

in·​cau·​tious (ˌ)in-ˈkȯ-shəs How to pronounce incautious (audio)
Synonyms of incautiousnext
: lacking in caution : careless
an incautious remark
incautiously adverb
incautiousness noun

Synonyms of incautious

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Examples of incautious in a Sentence

He offended several people with his incautious remarks. Their incautious behavior is going to get them into trouble someday.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thieves on foot or on motorbikes snatch cellphones from incautious tourists. — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Compared with those debts, however, credit card debt can feel like an emblem of incautious spending, poor planning or bad budgeting. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 Jan. 2026 One incautious zap could burn out the electronics on an F-35 and turn it into a $100m brick only useful as a gate guardian. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Mar. 2026 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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incautious was circa 1703

Rhymes for incautious

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Browse Nearby Words

incaution
incautious
incavation
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Cite this Entry

“Incautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incautious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

incautious

adjective
in·​cau·​tious (ˈ)in-ˈkȯ-shəs How to pronounce incautious (audio)
: not cautious : rash
incautiously adverb
incautiousness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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