discreetness

6.6

Care in speech and actions to avoid embarrassing or hurting others

noun
/dɪˈskritnəs/

: discreción

The success of the negotiations was due mainly to his discreetness and tact.

Examples

Her discreetness is admirable.
She handled the confidential matter with remarkable discreetness, ensuring no one overheard.
In sensitive situations, a little discreetness can prevent unnecessary conflict.
The discreetness of the counselor helped her clients feel safe.
Her discreetness in handling sensitive information earned her the trust of her colleagues.
The teacher praised his student's discreetness when discussing personal topics among classmates.
Discreetness is important in negotiations to ensure that sensitive details remain confidential.

Synonyms

diplomacy

vsdiscreetness

Formal

201 3.7

Skill in carefully managing talks and relations between people or countries

is personal tact and careful judgment used in ordinary speech and actions

discretion

vsdiscreetness

57 4.6

Ability to make careful choices and keep private things secret

stresses tactful behavior aimed at not causing offense or distress

finesse

vsdiscreetness

35 6.8

Careful, skilled handling of a difficult or sensitive situation

relies more on cautious restraint to prevent offense or embarrassment

prudence

vsdiscreetness

18 6.1

Careful and sensible thinking and action to avoid risks

is about tactful behavior to prevent social offense rather than risk avoidance

delicacy

vsdiscreetness

12 5.8

Skill and care when dealing with people or difficult situations

focuses on careful judgment to avoid causing offense or embarrassment

circumspection

vsdiscreetness

Formal

2 8.4

Careful thinking before you act or speak to avoid mistakes

emphasizes tact to avoid causing embarrassment rather than just caution

Antonyms

indiscretion

38 7.3

A small mistake that shows bad judgment but is not serious

How Discreet

discretion

57 4.6

discreetness

6.6

prudence

18 6.1

reserve

9 5.2

tact

26 3.5

Surface Forms

discreetness singular

discreetnesses plural

Morphology

discreetness = discreet (transparent) = discreet + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'discreet' indicating the state or quality of being discreet.

Etymology

Discreetness comes from the same idea as discretion and discrete: the prefix dis- meant 'apart', so the root idea is 'to separate' or 'choose carefully'. So discreetness is about keeping things 'apart' or 'private' and choosing your words carefully to avoid causing offence or trouble.