circumspect

adjective

cir·cum·spect ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt

Synonyms of circumspect next

: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent

diplomacy required a circumspect response

They are circumspect in all their business dealings.

circumspection

ˌsər-kəm-ˈspek-shən

noun

circumspectly

ˈsər-kəm-ˌspek(t)-lē

adverb

Did you know?

Circumspect, cautious, wary, and chary all imply looking before you leap, but each puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger. Circumspect, which descends from Latin circum- ("around") and specere ("to look"), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings"). Cautious suggests fear of danger and the exercise of forethought that it prompts (as in "a cautious driver"). Wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in sensing danger and cunning in escaping it (as in "keep a wary eye on the competition"). Chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely (as in "she is chary of signing papers without reading them first").

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 But the perspective from outside the tech industry is more circumspect. —

Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023 Reflecting on the dissonance between many of the economy’s fundamentals and consumers’ sour outlook, Richardson was circumspect. —

Christine Romans, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2023 And the Israeli government has good reason right now to be circumspect. —

ABC News, 15 Oct. 2023 Like Bradford, the work is both forthcoming and circumspect, effervescent and haunted, alternately playful and possessed of a deep moral seriousness. —

Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023 Whereas the Kremlin hosted a delegation of Hamas officials at the end of last month, China has been more circumspect. —

Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 Stocks rallied following the news, but Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Virginia, was circumspect in his remarks. —

Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2023 Israel’s military is more circumspect than its leading politicians have been. —

Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023 For his part, Barkley seemed circumspect about the breakdown in negotiations, which reportedly went until the final minutes Monday afternoon. —

Howard Megdal, Forbes, 17 July 2023 See More

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

See more words from the same century