discretion

dis·cre·tion

noun \dis-ˈkre-shən\

Definition of DISCRETION

1

: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment : the quality of being discreet : circumspection; especially : cautious reserve in speech

2

: ability to make responsible decisions

3

a : individual choice or judgment <left the decision to his discretion>

b : power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds <reached the age of discretion>

4

: the result of separating or distinguishing

Examples of DISCRETION

1. Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work.
2. The coach used his own discretion to let the injured quarterback play.
3. He always uses care and discretion when dealing with others.
4. She handled the awkward situation with great discretion.
5. Though it is worth noting that to live in a place where other people come just for pleasure has the odd effect of making me feel transient, while the visitors seem more fixed and permanent in their lives, coming as they do from more conventional homes far away. It is as if I am always waiting for them and am here at their discretion. —Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
6. In Texas “capital” murder doesn't necessarily mean a death-penalty case; it's the designation for any aggravated murder, and prosecutors have full discretion in deciding whether to seek death in such cases. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003
7. Del Monte was a courtier, bureaucrat, diplomat and politician born and bred and he understood the need for discretion. —Peter Robb, The Man Who Became Caravaggio, (1998) 1999

Origin of DISCRETION

(see discreet)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISCRETION

Synonyms

discreetness, common sense, gumption [chiefly dialect], horse sense, levelheadedness, nous [chiefly British], policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit

Antonyms

imprudence, indiscretion

Related Words

street smarts; farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment (or judgement); brains, gray matter, intelligence; logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness; discernment, discrimination, insight, sagacity, sapience; acumen, astuteness, clearheadedness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, shrewdness; care, caution, circumspection, precaution, premeditation

Near Antonyms

shortsightedness; brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity; carelessness, heedlessness; unreasonableness

Rhymes with DISCRETION

accession, aggression, bull session, compression, concession, confession, depression, digression, egression, expression, impression, ingression, jam session, obsession, oppression, precession, procession, profession, progression, recession, refreshen, regression, repression, secession, skull session, succession, suppression, transgression