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View synonyms for circumspect

circumspect

[ sur-kuhm-spekt ]

adjective

  1. watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent:

    circumspect behavior.

    Synonyms: guarded, vigilant, careful

    Antonyms: indiscreet, careless

  2. well-considered:

    circumspect ambition.



circumspect

/ ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt /

adjective

  1. cautious, prudent, or discreet
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈcircumˌspectly, adverb
  • ˌcircumˈspective, adjective
  • ˌcircumˈspection, noun
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Other Words From

  • cir·cum·spect·ly adverb
  • cir·cum·spect·ness noun
  • non·cir·cum·spect adjective
  • non·cir·cum·spect·ness noun
  • o·ver·cir·cum·spect adjective
  • un·cir·cum·spect adjective
  • un·cir·cum·spect·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of circumspect1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin circumspectus (past participle of circumspicere “to look around”), equivalent to circum- “around, about” ( circum- ) + spec(ere) “to look” + -tus past participle suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of circumspect1

C15: from Latin circumspectus, from circum- + specere to look
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Example Sentences

Even traditionally circumspect officials made little secret Wednesday of their frustration that the two lawmakers had thrust themselves into such a landscape.

He remains grateful for the blockbuster year he had around 1996 and ’97 — playing “Saturday Night Live,” winning Grammys — but he’s circumspect about the ephemeral nature of fame.

The show is more certain than ever that the status quo is untenable — and a lot less willing to be circumspect about that idea.

From Vox

He said in late April that he had a “high degree of confidence” that the virus came from a Wuhan lab, contradicting an on-the-record statement from his own intelligence community which was more circumspect.

Meanwhile, some colleges that took aggressive action to combat the pandemic last year have been more circumspect about mandating vaccinations this spring.

Some of the Americans joining ISIS are less than circumspect, especially online.

On whether he would pursue a similar case against Herman, Singer was more circumspect than his blistering letter of May 8.

As for the other part of the war on poverty, Obama was more circumspect.

He remained circumspect and offered no details as I quickly departed.

Just last week, Barack Obama was sounding very circumspect about the whole business.

Sad and very rough experience of life had taught him to be uncommonly circumspect for his years.

Of course the cook sought to counteract such tendencies, but he had to be very circumspect, for Sambo resented insults fiercely.

But Lillie aspired somewhat higher than Sunday-school concerts and such circumspect circles.

She is always carefully circumspect, and so works out a patient revenge, though I believe I did her no wrong.

Therefore, my son, be very circumspect, and show this only to wise and discreet men.

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