circumspection

Meaning

1. 1noununcountableformal

   Careful thought about possible risks before you act; caution.

   Grammar: Uncountable, so it is not used with 'a' or in the plural: 'show circumspection', not 'a circumspection'.

   Patterns

   • with circumspection
   • show circumspection
   • exercise circumspection
   • a lack of circumspection

   The lawyer advised circumspection before signing the contract.

   She handled the delicate matter with great circumspection.

   A little circumspection would have prevented that costly mistake.

Common combinations

with circumspection

He chose his words with circumspection.

show circumspection

The board showed circumspection in approving the merger.

exercise circumspection

You should exercise circumspection when investing in new markets.

a lack of circumspection

His lack of circumspection led to an embarrassing public statement.

Synonyms and how they differ

caution

Caution is the everyday word for avoiding danger; circumspection is more formal and stresses careful thought.

prudence

Prudence often refers to good judgment in practical matters; circumspection focuses on looking at all sides before acting.

wariness

Wariness suggests suspicion or distrust, while circumspection is calm and deliberate.

Opposites

Word family

circumspect adjective

Careful and cautious; showing circumspection.

circumspectly adverb

In a careful and cautious way.

Commonly confused: circumspection or circumvention? circumspection or inspection?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “circumspection”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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