circumspect
11
7.9
- adjective
- /ˈsɜrkəmsˌpɛkt/
- Formal
:
circunspecto
- In his judicial opinions, Justice Scalia expressed his views in a more circumspect manner.
- more circumspect
- even more circumspect
- less circumspect
And so I just want to be a little bit more circumspect.
- And so I just want to be a little bit more circumspect.
- And those other people may not be so circumspect.
- I prefer to think of it as being more discerning, having better boundaries, being more circumspect.
- You actually who are healthy and can go be very sort of deep, mindful, circumspect people.
- He's this, he's that he fights, you know, with he's circumspect, he's cautious, he's he's pressing, he's intelligent, deeply intelligent.
Examples
-
Too late, he remembered his promise to be more circumspect in his speech, and he looked around him carefully.
Fiction book (1993) -
Scientists being circumspect say, well, have you missed something?
-
Did they do enough or were they being circumspect with the truth?
-
And, and my guess is that people like John you will probably be circumspect about where they go.
-
A man in my position must be circumspect, do you understand?
-
You ask circumspect questions and study my responses.
-
Uh, and perhaps, as the newest partner at this table, I should be more circumspect.
-
And so, you know, let's, let's make sure, let's urge them to be very circumspect about what whatever their next steps might be.
-
But recent events have forced us to become a little more circumspect in our dealings.
Fiction book (2000) -
The lawyer was circumspect in his advice, ensuring that all possible outcomes were considered.
Synonyms
210
2.9
Careful to avoid risk or mistakes
115
5.8
Careful about what you say and do to avoid upsetting people or drawing attention
110
3.6
Careful because you do not trust someone or something
94
6.2
Being careful and thinking ahead when you make decisions
15
7.5
Careful not to give away information or show their plans
Careful when planning ahead to avoid problems
Careful about showing feelings or strong opinions to avoid saying too much
Antonyms
How Cautious
Surface Forms
Morphology
circumspect = circum + spect
Although formed from recognisable Latin combining elements (circum- + -spect), these are not productive standalone English words for a B1 learner, so the meaning 'cautious' is not reliably derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Circumspect comes from Latin parts circum- ('around') and specere ('to look'), the same root you see in inspect and spectator. So, to be circumspect is to 'look around' before you act, which is why it means being careful and cautious.