View synonyms for circumspect

circumspect

[sur-kuhm-spekt]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent.
circumspect behavior.
Synonyms: guarded, vigilant, careful
Antonyms: indiscreet, careless
well-considered.
circumspect ambition.

circumspect

/ ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt /

adjective

cautious, prudent, or discreet

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Other Word Forms

circumspectly adverb
circumspectness noun
noncircumspect adjective
noncircumspectness noun
overcircumspect adjective
uncircumspect adjective
uncircumspectness noun
circumspective adjective
circumspection 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission was more circumspect, concluding in 2014 that high-frequency trades didn’t cause the flash crash, but “contributed to it by demanding immediacy ahead of other market participants.”

Related Words

circumsolar circumspection

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