discreetly

Examples

• All

• If you need to leave the meeting early, you should do so discreetly to prevent drawing attention.

• But among politicians, academics, and bureaucrats, the possibility is now being discreetly and cautiously discussed.

  Academic text (2003)

• This must be done discreetly.

  Judas (2004)

• And we'll keep doing it carefully and discreetly on every world we hit until we get an answer.

  Fiction book (1991)

• This operation was to be conducted discreetly.

  A View to a Kill (1985)

• I think it's time, Oliver, for you to go home discreetly tonight, to cause her the least anxiety.

  Saltburn (2023)

• I do not have to do more than nod discreetly at Mr. Griffin.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Instead, feeling in need of help, she leaked word discreetly to her nephew Bob, the lawyer.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Clive supports her as discreetly as he can, smiling out at the audience.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Hone helps men get testing and treatment for low testosterone discreetly and in the comfort of their own home.

  Shawn Ryan Show

Synonyms

I

in private

vsdiscreetly

249 2.4

Without other people present

can happen anywhere but stresses polite restraint to avoid embarrassment

C

covertly

vsdiscreetly

17 6.9

In a secret way so other people do not know

aims to act from tact to avoid embarrassment rather than to hide actions

S

surreptitiously

vsdiscreetly

17 8.3

To do something secretly to avoid being noticed

keeps social restraint to avoid embarrassment rather than secretiveness

O

on the sly

vsdiscreetly

• Informal

9 7.8

In a secret way so other people do not know

is done with careful restraint to avoid embarrassment, not secrecy

S

stealthily

vsdiscreetly

8 5.7

In a quiet, secret way to avoid being seen

shows controlled restraint to avoid embarrassment, not secretive purpose

F

furtively

vsdiscreetly

5 6.8

In a way that tries not to be seen or heard

relies on polite restraint to prevent embarrassment rather than secret action

U

unobtrusively

vsdiscreetly

2 6.5

In a way that does not attract attention or cause trouble

shows careful self-restraint to avoid causing embarrassment

I

inconspicuously

vsdiscreetly

2 6.5

Without being easily seen or noticed by other people

emphasizes restraint to prevent embarrassment rather than only invisibility

S

sneakily

vsdiscreetly

2 4.9

In a secret way so other people do not notice

uses quiet self-control to prevent embarrassment rather than slyness

C

circumspectly

vsdiscreetly

• Formal

1 8.3

To act carefully after thinking about possible problems and results

focuses more on social restraint and avoiding embarrassment than planning

O

on the hush

vsdiscreetly

• Informal

1 8.6

In secret and quietly so nobody finds out

is guided by tact to prevent embarrassment rather than mere secrecy

O

out of the side of one's mouth

vsdiscreetly

9.1

Speak quietly so other people nearby do not hear you

uses restraint to avoid causing embarrassment or drawing attention

Antonyms

I

indiscreetly

1 7.1

In a way that shows no care for keeping information private

I

imprudently

1 7.7

In a way that shows no care for possible bad results

How Discreet

secretly

261 1.4

discreetly

33 5.1

tactfully

4 4.4

quietly

517 1.0

carefully

978 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology