Definition of CIRCUMSPECTION

Other Words from circumspect

circumspection \ ˌsər-kəm-ˈspek-shən

\ noun

circumspectly \ ˈsər-kəm-ˌspek(t)-lē

\ adverb

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

Even so, some young scientists are more circumspect. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "NSF’s huge ecological observatory is open for business. But tensions remain," 29 Aug. 2019 Market watchers are becoming increasingly circumspect about what lies ahead. — Washington Post, "US stock indexes veer slightly lower, shedding early gains," 27 Aug. 2019 Physicists can be full of themselves, but the most experienced and accomplished among them are usually circumspect. — George Musser, Scientific American, "The Search for Truth in Physics," 25 Aug. 2019 But destination managers and regulators need to be circumspect about some possible fall outs. — Albert N. Kimbu, Quartz Africa, "The problem with Ghana’s Year of Return diaspora campaign to boost tourism," 8 Aug. 2019 Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, said authorities are being appropriately circumspect in determining Legan’s motivations. — Leonardo Castañeda, The Mercury News, "Gilroy shooting: Hate motive debated as suspect’s background emerges," 31 July 2019 Companies have been particularly circumspect this year because of inevitable comparisons to 2018, when gangbuster earnings were padded by US tax cuts. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "Forget earnings. The smart money is looking to the future," 14 July 2019 Woolley had another reason to be circumspect: Since the dig had started, artifacts, especially golden ones, were going missing, presumably stolen by members of the team. — National Geographic, "The royal tombs of Ur revealed Mesopotamia's golden splendor," 22 May 2019 As a consequence, quantum theory forces us to be circumspect in assigning physical reality to individual properties. — Quanta Magazine, "Entanglement Made Simple," 28 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circumspect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.