Antonyms for discreet
| Grammar : Adj |
| Spell : dih-skreet |
| Phonetic Transcription : dɪˈskrit |
Definition of discreet
Origin :- mid-14c., "morally discerning, prudent, circumspect," from Old French discret "discreet, sensible, intelligent, wise," from Latin discretus "separated, distinct," in Medieval Latin "discerning, careful," past participle of discernere "distinguish" (see discern). Meaning "separate, distinct" in English is late 14c.
- Spellings discrete and nativized discreet co-existed until after c.1600, when discreet became the common word for "careful, prudent," and discrete was maintained in philosophy, medicine, music and other disciplines that remembered Latin and made effort to obey it. Related: Discreetly.
- adj cautious, sensible
- I can see that they are very wise and discreet folk at Beaulieu.
- Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
- But what will they say of Virgil; the wise, the discreet Virgil?
- Extract from : « An Essay on Satire, Particularly on the Dunciad » by Walter Harte
- One and all swore to be faithful and discreet—and so they proved.
- Extract from : « Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXII No. 4, April 1848 » by Various
- Indeed, you shall tell me all about it someday; you know I'm discreet!
- Extract from : « Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille » by Emile Zola
- Colonel Hofferman paused: de Loubersac kept a discreet silence.
- Extract from : « A Nest of Spies » by Pierre Souvestre
- We acknowledge that some are discreet, some foolish, and that some are mad?
- Extract from : « Alcibiades II » by An Imitator of Plato
- She was a wise and discreet lady and assisted her husband to govern his dominions.
- Extract from : « Japanese Fairy World » by William Elliot Griffis
- He only smiled with discreet politeness and inquired about the Queen.
- Extract from : « Tales of Unrest » by Joseph Conrad
- "They were most discreet in their observations," remarked Daly, significantly.
- Extract from : « The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II) » by Charles James Lever
- If Harding knew—and I 'm not sure that he did—he was too discreet to tell.
- Extract from : « The Bramleighs Of Bishop's Folly » by Charles James Lever
Synonyms for discreet
- alert
- attentive
- awake
- cagey
- calculating
- careful
- chary
- circumspect
- civil
- conservative
- considerate
- controlled
- diplomatic
- discerning
- discriminating
- gingerly
- guarded
- having foresight
- heedful
- intelligent
- judicious
- like a clam
- moderate
- noncommittal
- not rash
- observant
- on lookout
- politic
- precautious
- prudent
- reasonable
- reserved
- restrained
- safe
- sagacious
- strategic
- tactful
- temperate
- thoughtful
- vigilant
- wary
- watchful
- wise
- worldly-wise
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019