circumspect

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adjective cir·cum·spect \ ˈsər-kᵊm-ˌspekt \

Definition of circumspect

:careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences :prudent

diplomacy required a circumspect response

They are circumspect in all their business dealings.

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circumspection

play \ˌsər-kᵊm-ˈspek-shən\ noun

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circumspectly

play \ˈsər-kᵊm-ˌspek(t)-lē\ adverb

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circumspect was our Word of the Day on 11/14/2008. Hear the podcast!

Examples of circumspect in a Sentence

she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse

Recent Examples of circumspect from the Web

A circumspect evaluation of human frailty and partisanship should be a stark warning to those would entrust government with that authority.

— josh craddock, National Review, "Words Are Not Violence," 18 Aug. 2017
Your boyfriend seems to have been honest, though circumspect.

— amy dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Mom wonders about live-in guy’s meds," 16 Aug. 2017
Energy analysts, however, have been more circumspect about the effect on global markets and prices at the pump.

— joshua goodman and alexandra olson, The Christian Science Monitor, "US oil industry challenges sanctions on Venezuela," 10 Aug. 2017
Some sources were circumspect about Wisconsin's chances, noting other states were also pushing to land Foxconn.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin wines and dines Foxconn as state emerges as a top site for mega-plant," 13 July 2017
The Saudis picked a diplomatic row with Qatar, citing their Gulf neighbor’s cordial ties with Iran -- and got vocal support from Trump, even though others in his administration have been more circumspect.

— ladane nasseri, Bloomberg.com, "The Iran Nuclear Deal Faces ‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’," 28 June 2017
Nina Turner, the former Ohio state senator now being pushed by progressive groups there to run for governor next year, was less circumspect.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Progressives consider, or don't, life after Bernie Sanders," 12 June 2017
While the Trump administration seeks a 15% corporate tax rate and House Republicans call for a 20% tax rate, down from the current 35%, Mr. Hatch remained circumspect.

— richard rubin, WSJ, "Hatch Optimistic on GOP Tax Agreement But No Answer Yet on Rates, Revenue," 7 June 2017
Other senior Kurdish officials, though, have in the past been more circumspect, arguing that the primary aim of a vote would be to ensure greater self-determination rather than outright independence.

— khalid al ansary, Bloomberg.com, "Iraq's Kurds to Hold September Independence Referendum," 7 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of circumspect

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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circumspect Synonyms

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

Synonym Discussion of 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

CIRCUMSPECT Defined for English Language Learners

circumspect

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adjective

Definition of circumspect for English Language Learners

: thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something

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circumspect was our Word of the Day on 11/14/2008. Hear the podcast!

Examples of circumspect in a Sentence

Recent Examples of circumspect from the Web

Origin and Etymology of circumspect

circumspect Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of circumspect

CIRCUMSPECT Defined for English Language Learners

circumspect

Definition of circumspect for English Language Learners

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