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
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
As the vetting process accelerates, Trump’s rhetoric signals his intent to pivot toward a Fed chair who closely aligns with his priorities: lower interest rates, responsiveness to White House goals, and a more circumspect approach to the Fed’s non-monetary functions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Other Republicans were more circumspect with their criticism but lodged similar concerns about Ingrassia’s rhetoric.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
As the vetting process accelerates, Trump’s rhetoric signals his intent to pivot toward a Fed chair who closely aligns with his priorities: lower interest rates, responsiveness to White House goals, and a more circumspect approach to the Fed’s non-monetary functions.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Other Republicans were more circumspect with their criticism but lodged similar concerns about Ingrassia’s rhetoric.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 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
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The duo have been cautious in their classification, allowing for the possibility that a torus of material could be behind the observations.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Both coaches and players have been respectful of the other team all week, careful not to produce any bulletin board material.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
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Ben Lewis Doherty, playing a boy named Sam whose life is upended by Robbie, is the show’s greatest innocent, a softhearted moppet who warns deer to be careful when crossing the street.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other than in the Second Circuit, the federal courts of appeals generally have interpreted the Confrontation Clause to require face-to-face cross examination, and counsel should be wary of giving up that important right.—
Robert Anello,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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For decades, educators have been wary of the decline in critical thinking and its impact on undermining the very purpose of education.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumspect. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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