circumspect

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

OTHER WORDS FROM circumspect

cir·cum·spect·ly, adverbcir·cum·spect·ness, nounnon·cir·cum·spect, adjectivenon·cir·cum·spect·ness, noun

o·ver·cir·cum·spect, adjectiveun·cir·cum·spect, adjectiveun·cir·cum·spect·ness, noun

Words nearby circumspect

circumscissile, circumscribe, circumscript, circumscription, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumspectly, circumstance, circumstanced

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use circumspect in a sentence

Even traditionally circumspect officials made little secret Wednesday of their frustration that the two lawmakers had thrust themselves into such a landscape.
U.S. leaders move to shut down further freelance trips to Kabul|Annie Linskey, Paul Kane, Alex Horton, Tyler Pager|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
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.
Jakob Dylan has always been part cowboy-troubadour, part rabbi|Tim Greiving|July 9, 2021|Washington Post
The show is more certain than ever that the status quo is untenable — and a lot less willing to be circumspect about that idea.
How In the Heights went from a student musical to one of the summer’s biggest movies|Constance Grady|June 11, 2021|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.
What a proven coronavirus lab leak theory would mean|Aaron Blake|May 27, 2021|Washington Post

Meanwhile, some colleges that took aggressive action to combat the pandemic last year have been more circumspect about mandating vaccinations this spring.
Most employers shy away from mandating coronavirus vaccines|Dan Diamond|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Some of the Americans joining ISIS are less than circumspect, especially online.
How Many Americans in ISIS? No One Knows|Eli Lake|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On whether he would pursue a similar case against Herman, Singer was more circumspect than his blistering letter of May 8.
Third Hollywood Power Player Files Motion to Dismiss Sex Abuse Lawsuit|Tim Teeman|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As for the other part of the war on poverty, Obama was more circumspect.
Obama Misfires in the War on Poverty|Lloyd Green|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He remained circumspect and offered no details as I quickly departed.
Baby Hope Killer Confesses After 22 Years|Michael Daly|October 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Just last week, Barack Obama was sounding very circumspect about the whole business.
Is Bombing Syria Obama’s Best Bad Option?|Michael Tomasky|August 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sad and very rough experience of life had taught him to be uncommonly circumspect for his years.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Of course the cook sought to counteract such tendencies, but he had to be very circumspect, for Sambo resented insults fiercely.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
But Lillie aspired somewhat higher than Sunday-school concerts and such circumspect circles.
The Mysteries of Montreal|Charlotte Fuhrer
She is always carefully circumspect, and so works out a patient revenge, though I believe I did her no wrong.
Sword and Gown|George A. Lawrence
Therefore, my son, be very circumspect, and show this only to wise and discreet men.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster

British Dictionary definitions for circumspect

circumspect

/ (ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt) /

adjective

cautious, prudent, or discreet

Derived forms of circumspect

circumspection, nouncircumspective, adjectivecircumspectly, adverb

Word Origin for circumspect

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

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

circumspect

OTHER WORDS FOR circumspect

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Origin of circumspect

OTHER WORDS FROM circumspect

Words nearby circumspect

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How to use circumspect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for circumspect

Derived forms of circumspect

Word Origin for circumspect