Circumspect
Careful to consider all potential consequences and circumstances before acting; wary and prudent.
adjectiveCircumspect
Careful to consider all potential consequences and circumstances before acting; wary and prudent.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine a detective approaching a crime scene. He walks in a slow, circular sweep around the area, examining every corner and weighing risks before deciding what to do next.
Sounds Like
SUR-kuhm-SPEKT
Looks Like
circum + spect (around + look)
Remember This
Originates from Latin circumspectus, from circum 'around' + specere 'to look'. Related words include inspect, spectator, and circumspection.
Other Forms
Note
Use circumspect to describe cautious, well-considered behavior. It is often followed by about or in: be circumspect about sharing information; act circumspectly. Distinguish from similar terms like circumstantial or circumscribe.
Study Deeper
- The board took a circumspect approach to the merger, asking difficult questions and weighing long-term risks.
- She remained circumspect about sharing her personal information online.
From Latin circumspectus, from circum 'around' + specere 'to look'.
Circum- spect = look around. Visualize a cautious observer circling a scene to inspect every angle before acting.
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Humility
nounThe quality of having a modest view of one’s abilities and achievements; freedom from arrogance.
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verbTo make something less severe or painful; to relieve or ease (emotions, pain, hunger, or discomfort).
Allusion
nounAn indirect reference or mention of something, often to a person, event, or literary work, without explicitly naming it.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Prudent
adjectiveCareful; using good judgment and foresight.
Judicious
adjectiveHaving or showing good judgment; wise and prudent in decision-making.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.