oversolicitude

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UK/ˌəʊvəsəˈlɪsɪˌtjuːd/US/ˌoʊvɚsəˈlɪsɪˌt(j)ud/

noun

Excessive solicitude.

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Meanings

nounoversolicitude (uncountable)
  1. uncountableExcessive solicitude.

    Harry's oversolicitude is no different from that of any other meddling, well-intentioned parent.

    1988 July 20, Sylvie Drake, “Stage Review: Gay Son's Life with Father in 'Sum of Us'”, in Los Angeles Times
    2 more examples

    The miſchief is done, and there is a neceſſity for his bearing the pain of it ; my overſolicitude would only ſerve to frighten him the more, and increaſe his ſenſibility.

    1762, “Emilius and Sophia: Or, A New System of Education”, in The Critical Review, page 262

    To broadcast the hazards of parental oversolicitude, parental pressures and domination and the harmfulness of potential parental fixations is part of the service of rational constructive mental hygiene.

    1931, Ira S. Wile, “Mental Hygiene in Childhood”, in Mind and Body, volume 38, number 395, page 548

Origin

From over- + solicitude.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

oversolicitude. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oversolicitude

MLA

“oversolicitude.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oversolicitude. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “oversolicitude,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oversolicitude.

Source: oversolicitude on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.