circumspect

adjective

cir·​cum·​spect ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt How to pronounce circumspect (audio)
: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent
diplomacy required a circumspect response
They are circumspect in all their business dealings.
circumspection noun
circumspectly adverb

Did you know?

Circumspect may not be the most common of words, but its Latin forebears have made quite a mark on our language. That's because circumspect combines two major players in the Latin branch of the English language's pedigree: circum-, meaning "around," and specere, meaning "to look." Just look around, and you'll find that English is brimming with descendants of these Latin gems. Open your paper dictionary to circumspect and behold with your own eyes the thirty circum- entries that surround it, such as circumference, circumscribe, and circumnavigate. Then flip on over to spectacular for a little peek at the many words for which English has specere to thank, including spectacle, spectrum, and spectator. Latin lovers: we see you!

Choose the Right Synonym for circumspect

cautious, circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk.

cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

Examples of circumspect in a Sentence

she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse
Recent Examples on the Web Hamas leader hiding in Gaza, but killing him risks hostages, officials say The Israeli official, though, was more circumspect. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 In the truck, Hyland’s pronouncement was less circumspect. Jody Rosen, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023 Bill Ray, a VP analyst at Gartner, is even more circumspect. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Feb. 2024 Yet this one, too, has a serious and circumspect artist at its center. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024 Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, both members of the court's conservative wing, were more circumspect in their take. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2024 However, these experts’ opinions about the device’s commercial prospects were generally more circumspect. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 At the time, Amazon's then-CEO Jeff Bezos said all 100,000 vehicles would be deployed by 2024—a timeline that even pre-pandemic appeared extremely optimistic; the official press release gave a more circumspect 2030 deadline. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 7 July 2023 Francis was circumspect about the Viganò letter initially. Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circumspect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumspect was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near circumspect

Cite this Entry

“Circumspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumspect. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

circumspect

adjective
cir·​cum·​spect ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt How to pronounce circumspect (audio)
: careful to consider everything that might happen
circumspection noun
circumspectly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on circumspect

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