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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
However, owners should also be cautious of potential dangers and hazards of outdoor adventures, as this pet parent learned from the dog's frightful fall.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Hiring has ground to nearly a halt, which could partly reflect a more cautious approach by many firms in the wake of the uncertainty created by the higher tariffs.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rather, the Penguins will be very careful with both of their teenagers.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And to find or develop a future CEO takes careful planning and grooming, considering today’s massive disruptions like tariff impacts and the expansive growth of AI.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The producer is wary, however, of the current financial and sociopolitical moment in Europe and the rest of the world.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Film distributors and foreign TV networks are increasingly wary of buying Israeli shows.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumspect. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share