circumspect

cir·cum·spect

adjective \ˈsər-k^əm-ˌspekt\

Definition of CIRCUMSPECT

: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent <diplomacy required a circumspect response>

— cir·cum·spec·tion \ˌsər-k^əm-ˈspek-shən\ noun

— cir·cum·spect·ly \ˈsər-k^əm-ˌspek(t)-lē\ adverb

Examples of CIRCUMSPECT

1. <she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse>

Origin of CIRCUMSPECT

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French circonspect, from Latin circumspectus, from past participle of circumspicere to look around, be cautious, from circum- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CIRCUMSPECT

Synonyms

alert, cautious, chary, careful, conservative, considerate, gingerly, guarded, heedful, safe, wary

Antonyms

careless, heedless, incautious, unguarded, unmindful, unsafe, unwary

Related Words

advertent, attentive, awake, observant, regardful, vigilant, watchful; hypercautious; foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful, provident, thoughtful; cagey (also cagy), calculating, canny, shrewd; deliberate, slow; ultracareful, ultracautious

Near Antonyms

bold, brash, impetuous, rash, reckless, venturesome; asleep, inattentive, regardless; inconsiderate, thoughtless; lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss; imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious; absentminded, forgetful; inadvertent, unintentional, unplanned

See Synonym Discussion at cautious

Rhymes with CIRCUMSPECT

acrolect, architect, birth defect, deselect, dialect, disaffect, disconnect, disinfect, disrespect, edge effect, genuflect, grapholect, incorrect, indirect, in effect, intellect, interject, intersect, introject, introspect, lake effect, misdirect, preselect, re-collect, recollect, redirect, reelect, resurrect, retrospect, self-respect, side effect, turtlenecked, vivisect