Synonyms for discretion
dɪˈskrɛʃ əndis·cre·tion

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 2 votes

1. discretionnoun

   Address is that indefinable something which enables a man to gain his object without seeming exertion or contest, and generally with the favor and approval of those with whom he deals. It is a general power to direct to the matter in hand whatever qualities are most needed for it at the moment. It includes adroitness and discretion to know what to do or say and what to avoid; ingenuity to devise; readiness to speak or act; the dexterity that comes of practise; and tact, which is the power of fine touch as applied to human character and feeling. Courtesy and politeness are indispensable elements of good address. Compare SPEECH.

   Synonyms:
   address, address, adroitness, courtesy, dexterity, ingenuity, manners, politeness, readiness, tact

   Antonyms:
   awkwardness, boorishness, clownishness, clumsiness, fatuity, folly, ill manners, ill-breeding, rudeness, stupidity, unmannerliness, unwisdom

   Preposition:
   Address in dealing with opponents; the address of an accomplished intriguer; an address to the audience.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. discretionnoun

   freedom to act or judge on one's own

   Synonyms:
   prudence, free will, circumspection, discreetness, discernment, delicacy

2. discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudencenoun

   knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

   "the servants showed great tact and discretion"

   Synonyms:
   discreetness, circumspection, free will, delicacy, diplomacy, prudence, caution, finesse, discernment

3. delicacy, discretionnoun

   refined taste; tact

   Synonyms:
   daintiness, delicacy, dainty, diplomacy, finesse, free will, circumspection, slightness, discreetness, fineness, airiness, treat, fragility, kickshaw, prudence, discernment, goody

4. free will, discretionnoun

   the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies

   Synonyms:
   prudence, delicacy, circumspection, discreetness, discernment, free will

5. discretion, discernmentnoun

   the trait of judging wisely and objectively

   "a man of discernment"

   Synonyms:
   apprehension, circumspection, delicacy, free will, perceptiveness, appreciation, taste, discreetness, sagaciousness, savvy, judgement, prudence, understanding, judgment, discernment, sagacity

Matched Categories

1. • Liberty
   • Sagacity
   • Taste
   • Wisdom

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretionnoun

   Synonyms:
   PRUDENCE, judgment, caution, wariness, carefulness, circumspection, considerateness, judiciousness

2. discretionnoun

   Synonyms:
   will, pleasure, choice, liberty of judgment

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. discretionnoun

   Synonyms:
   prudence, circumspection, wariness, choice, liberty, will

   Antonyms:
   indiscretion, imprudence, compulsion, constraint, coercion

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "discretion":

   latitude, discretionary, secrecy, discernment, appreciation, criterion, faculty

How to pronounce discretion?

How to say discretion in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use discretion in a sentence?

1. Thomas Jefferson:

   I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.

2. Francis Bacon:

   Discretion in speech is more than eloquence.

3. Jo Becker:

   More worryingly, the pledge defers to national regulations when defining what constitutes hazardous labor, meaning that the work for those aged 15 to 18 is at the discretion of each grower or company.

4. John Taylor:

   Uncertainty exists in the real world; you can't ignore it whether you use rules or discretion.

5. La Bruyere:

   Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.