as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble
she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse
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Recent Examples of circumspect
These days, many athletes are slower to talk about politics, and leagues are more circumspect.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
As his public pronouncements became ever more circumspect, political commentators likened his approach to that of someone carrying a Ming vase across a polished museum floor, fixated on nothing more and nothing less than the task of delivering it safely to its plinth.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Her middle-aged father Tarek, meanwhile, is rather more circumspect.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Qatar Investment Authority’s CEO was more circumspect, telling Bloomberg the fund would take a more selective approach to AI this year.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumspect
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
As his public pronouncements became ever more circumspect, political commentators likened his approach to that of someone carrying a Ming vase across a polished museum floor, fixated on nothing more and nothing less than the task of delivering it safely to its plinth.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Her middle-aged father Tarek, meanwhile, is rather more circumspect.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Qatar Investment Authority’s CEO was more circumspect, telling Bloomberg the fund would take a more selective approach to AI this year.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumspect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumspect
Adjective
-
Other critics are taking a more cautious approach.—
Arielle Zionts,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lujan Grisham wraps up her tenure next year, and state lawmakers wary of unchecked spending opted during the legislative session that ended last month to take a cautious approach.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The best way to attain them during this conjunction of Venus and Saturn in your financial zone would be to set careful guardrails around your spending.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
No amount of sweeping or careful stepping keeps it at bay; shoes quickly collect a film of dust or thick mud.—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
People are wary of joining groups that may lack authenticity and connection.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Her government has since been navigating a delicate transition, balancing pressure from Washington for cooperation on corruption and criminal cases with the demands of powerful figures within Venezuela’s military and security apparatus who remain wary of the rapidly shifting political landscape.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumspect. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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