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 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for incautious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incautious

Adjective

The Most The business owners who get burned in an exit are almost never careless.

— Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

It is considered unsafe to swim in the rivers for at least 48 hours after a storm.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
As repair and evaluation work continues following major breaks in the Haverhill sewer line over a week ago, a nonprofit’s testing is still showing unsafe levels of fecal bacteria downstream in the Merrimack River.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.

— Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of incautious

adjective

Example Sentences

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