circumspect

cir·cum·spect

adj \ˈsər-k^əm-ˌspekt\

Definition of CIRCUMSPECT

: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent <diplomacy required a circumspect response>

— cir·cum·spec·tion \ˌsər-k^əm-ˈspek-shən\ noun

— cir·cum·spect·ly \ˈsər-k^əm-ˌspek(t)-lē\ adverb

Examples of CIRCUMSPECT

1. <she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse>

Origin of CIRCUMSPECT

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French circonspect, from Latin circumspectus, from past participle of circumspicere to look around, be cautious, from circum- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CIRCUMSPECT

Synonyms: alert, cautious, chary, careful, conservative, considerate, gingerly, guarded, heedful, safe, wary

Antonyms: careless, heedless, incautious, unguarded, unmindful, unsafe, unwary

Related Words: advertent, attentive, awake, observant, regardful, vigilant, watchful; hypercautious; foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful, provident, thoughtful; cagey (also cagy), calculating, canny, shrewd; deliberate, slow; ultracareful, ultracautious

Near Antonyms: bold, brash, impetuous, rash, reckless, venturesome; asleep, inattentive, regardless; inconsiderate, thoughtless; lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss; imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious; absentminded, forgetful; inadvertent, unintentional, unplanned

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See Synonym Discussion at cautious

Rhymes with CIRCUMSPECT

acrolect, architect, birth defect, deselect, dialect, disaffect, disconnect, disinfect, disrespect, edge effect, genuflect, grapholect, incorrect, indirect, in effect, intellect, interject, intersect, introject, introspect, lake effect, misdirect, preselect, re-collect, recollect, redirect, reelect, resurrect, retrospect, self-respect, side effect, turtlenecked, vivisect