discreet

adjective

di-ˈskrēt How to pronounce discreet (audio)
Definition of discreetnext
1
as in intelligent
having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech he was very discreet, only saying what was necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in invisible
not readily seen or noticed with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 discreet Inside at Revel Lounge, half the après crowd sips cocktails in robes and slippers while the other half have logged back on with work and are huddled away in the bar’s many discreet nooks and corners. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 For security reasons, the company only uses discreet packaging with no external branding. — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Each fixture is topped with a discreet solar panel that charges throughout the day and automatically illuminates at night, so there's no wiring required. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 The design isn’t all that discreet, and the clever engineering is undermined by hardware limitations, such as the lack of weatherproofing and the fiddly arms that secure it to your neck. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for discreet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discreet
  1. intelligent
  2. invisible
  3. cautious
  4. unnoticed
  5. prudent
  6. unobtrusive
  7. judicious
  8. inconspicuous
Adjective
  • Robbyant said the model’s capabilities extend beyond depth perception, enabling broader use cases in robotic vision and intelligent systems.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • Santos is an intelligent player with lots of potential, and United nabbing him from a ‘Big Six’ rival would be the sort of clever deal that can keep them agile and competitive elsewhere in the summer transfer market.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • Haaland was subbed out late after only two shots and one on goal, arguably the biggest star of this World Cup all but invisible.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
  • Basically, the fact that zinc did not always agree with carbon and nitrogen suggests that δ66Zn may be sensitive to ecological processes that are invisible to traditional tracers (offering a complementary lens rather than a replacement).
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of invisible
Adjective
  • Teams are generally more cautious about cooling the legs, however, because cold applied directly to working muscles immediately before a match can temporarily blunt explosive actions such as sprinting.
    — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Legal experts said the slow pace reflects a cautious approach by Graf and the large volume of evidence.
    — Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • At the time, outside of scientists and animal lovers, the secretive bats largely went unnoticed.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • On the facade of a sushi restaurant in a chic Buenos Aires neighborhood, two goldfish in a glass display case would go largely unnoticed apart from the occasional child who would tap against the glass.
    — Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of unnoticed
Adjective
  • Not only did the Sabres not have the cap room for either one of those deals, but neither one would have been prudent with Buffalo’s long-term vision in mind.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Josh Hawley of Florida and Brian Kemp of Georgia, a little distance might prove prudent.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 1 July 2026
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Otherwise, the Fitbit Air is the better value for most people interested in a screenless, unobtrusive health-tracking experience.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 13 July 2026
  • Take a cue and hang your towel in a more unobtrusive place, like on a hook in the bathroom.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of unobtrusive
Adjective
  • Over years of judicious choosing and cutting, Chad turned our heap of mail into a book.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • In a large serving bowl, add cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, parsley, green onions, and oil; toss to combine and season to taste with a judicious amount of seasoned salt (more can be added later if needed).
    — Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 July 2026
Definition of judicious
Adjective
  • Ezra stays inconspicuous by filming the lines with a pair of Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses, which synch with his iPhone.
    — David Kamp, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Test vinegar for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area on colored sheets before using it to freshen them.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
Definition of inconspicuous

Browse Nearby Words

discredits
discreet
discreetly
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Cite this Entry

“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discreet. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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