circumspect

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin circumspectus (past participle of circumspicere to look around), equivalent to circum- circum- + spec(ere) to look + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR circumspect

1 careful, vigilant, guarded.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumspect ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR circumspect

1 careless, indiscreet.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR circumspect ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM circumspect

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

non·cir·cum·spect·ness, nouno·ver·cir·cum·spect, adjectiveun·cir·cum·spect, adjectiveun·cir·cum·spect·ly, adverbun·cir·cum·spect·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for circumspect

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
(LOC 1011-1015) One more adjective could be added to Summer's list: circumspect.
David's Bookclub: The New New Deal|David Frum|December 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The president alluded to that authority when he spoke about the killing, indicating his awareness of a need to be circumspect.
Black America’s Heartbreaking Burdens|Randall Kennedy|March 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But his subsequent actions will remain case by case and circumspect.
Israel: No Peace in Sight|Leslie H. Gelb|May 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The poet remains coolly detached: a circumspect observer in the face of cataclysm.
Catastrophe in Verse|Eliza Griswold|April 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Until nearly sundown the men's canoes had led, silent, circumspect, seeking game at every bend of the river.
The Silent Places|Steward Edward White
It appeared so extraordinary that the sailor should sit by the lady that it made Ursus circumspect.
The Man Who Laughs|Victor Hugo
I was careful to express just enough, and not too much, interest: one had to be circumspect with Uncle Zeke.
Across the Years|Eleanor H. Porter
The most circumspect and devoted ally would have acted as he did.
The Wilderness Fugitives|Edward S. Ellis
Mr. Marrapit laid the slippers upon his dressing-table; that afternoon greeted Mrs. Major with a circumspect reserve.
Once Aboard The Lugger|Arthur Stuart-Menteth Hutchinson

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