circumspect

adjective

cir·​cum·​spect ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt 

: 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 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!

Synonyms

• alert
• careful
• cautious
• chary
• conservative
• considerate
• gingerly
• guarded
• heedful
• safe
• wary

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

So the commentary this time has been more circumspect. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 12 June 2025

Iain Mathieson, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania, is circumspect. —Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

In an interview with a German podcaster a year ago, Rushdie expressed surprise that young people on college campuses protesting on behalf of Palestinians were not being more circumspect about the fundamentalism and murderousness of Hamas, who started the current Gaza war. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025

While Moscow's representatives have appeared circumspect, American officials have sounded optimistic about the talks in Saudi Arabia, even as a parallel ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip brokered by the White House has fallen apart. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for circumspect

• architect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

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Kids Definition

circumspect

adjective

cir·​cum·​spect ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt 

: careful to consider everything that might happen

circumspection

ˌsər-kəm-ˈspek-shən 

noun

circumspectly adverb