Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective circumspect contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of circumspect are cautious, chary, and wary. While all these words mean "prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk," circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

When could cautious be used to replace circumspect?

The words cautious and circumspect can be used in similar contexts, but cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

When is chary a more appropriate choice than circumspect?

While the synonyms chary and circumspect are close in meaning, chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

In what contexts can wary take the place of circumspect?

The words wary and circumspect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circumspect The fact that McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin were close was apparent to acquaintances, although some said the two were circumspect about a relationship. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025 Trump was uncharacteristically restrained and circumspect. Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025 Then again, with nothing from the court yet on the sanctions move by Lively’s side against Baldoni’s top lawyer, maybe everyone being circumspect in anticipation of what’s next in a case that since December last year always seems to provided more gristle at every turn — with more likely to come. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025 Other states are more circumspect and base their laws more along the lines of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which includes consideration of the intent of the person conducting such an unauthorized access, the EFF said. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for circumspect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumspect
Adjective
  • During the preview, a mischievous group of young diplodocus splash in the water around a pair of kayaking guests, while other juveniles like the triceratops are more cautious in nature, choosing to stick close to their parents.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The Dodgers are being cautious.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Goodall was wary of doing another documentary on her life in 2017, but was persuaded by National Geographic to do so.
    Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This shows that parents and caregivers are growing wary of mounting student loan debt and are reluctant to have their children burdened by it in the future.
    De Elizabeth, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumspect. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on circumspect

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