Circumspect, cautious, wary, and chary all imply looking before you leap, but each puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger. Circumspect, which descends from Latin circum- ("around") and specere ("to look"), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings"). Cautious suggests fear of danger and the exercise of forethought that it prompts (as in "a cautious driver"). Wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in sensing danger and cunning in escaping it (as in "keep a wary eye on the competition"). Chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely (as in "she is chary of signing papers without reading them first").
cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.
a cautious driver
circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.
circumspect in his business dealings
wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.
keeps a wary eye on the competition
chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.
chary of signing papers without having read them first
Example Sentences
she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse
Recent Examples on the WebOn the subject of Ticketmaster’s fees, Skoufis is more circumspect. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 30 Aug. 2022 Henry, who has coached players like Amari Cooper, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry across his career, is more circumspect. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Aug. 2022 Kurtzman, who previously worked on J.J. Abrams’ Trek movie, was more circumspect. Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2022 In conversation, Kravchenko is measured, circumspect, unsparing in her self-analysis, with flashes of wry humor.New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 General López-Calleja was a circumspect person who had become gradually more visible in official events as the armed forces businesses came to play a growing role in Cuba’s economy. Andrea RodrÍguez, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2022 Desire takes shape in circumspect flashes of moving bodies performing for one another. Jack Parlett, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2022 The Ukrainians had previously been somewhat circumspect about their involvement in a series of behind-enemy-lines attacks in Crimea, including one assault that the Ukrainians said included the work of partisans and destroyed fighter jets.BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2022 It’s a sweet but oddly circumspect film, ruled by a friction between warring demands: the allure of wistful memories and the rigor of complex appraisal. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
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