Discretion — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈskre-shən/ dis·cre·tion

Meaning & Definition of Discretion

Discretion (noun)

  1. the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment, the quality of being discreet; especially, cautious reserve (as in revealing information)
  2. the use of careful judgment in making responsible decisions
  3. individual choice or judgment

Discretion (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters

    "we'll rely on your discretion in handling this accusation of cheating"

    similar: common sense, discreetness, gumption (chiefly dialect), horse sense, levelheadedness, nous (chiefly British), policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit
    related: street smarts, farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment, brains, gray matter, intelligence, logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness, discernment, discrimination, insight, sagacity, sapience, acumen, astuteness, clearheadedness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, shrewdness, care, caution, circumspection, precaution, premeditation
    opposite: imprudence, indiscretion
    near: shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity, carelessness, heedlessness, unreasonableness

  2. the power, right, or opportunity to choose

    "ambassadorships are generally regarded as subject to the president's discretion"

    similar: alternative, choice, druthers (dialect), election, liberty, option, pick, preference, selection, volition, way
    related: determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment, perspicacity
    near: coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

  3. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "in that job you'll be expected to show discretion and act like a professional at all times"

    similar: constraint, continence, discipline, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Discretion

The most common words with a similar meaning to Discretion:

Chiefly dialect: gumption
Chiefly British: nous
Dialect: druthers
common sense, discreetness, horse sense, levelheadedness, policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit, alternative, choice, election, liberty, option, pick, preference, selection, volition, way, constraint, continence, discipline, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Discretion

Words with the opposite meaning of Discretion:

imprudence, indiscretion, disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

Related Words for Discretion

street smarts, farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment, brains, gray matter, intelligence, logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness, discernment, discrimination, insight, sagacity, sapience, acumen, astuteness, clearheadedness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, shrewdness, care, caution, circumspection

Near Antonyms of Discretion

shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity, carelessness, heedlessness, unreasonableness, coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice, self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

Origin & Etymology of Discretion

Middle English discrecioun "rational perception, moral discernment, good judgment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French discreciun, descrecion, borrowed from Late Latin discrētiōn-, discrētiō "separation, act or power of distinguishing, caution, prudence," going back to Latin, "division, discrimination," from discrē-, variant stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action discern

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Discretion

Words & Phrases Containing Discretion

discretion is the better part of valor, at (someone's) discretion, leave to the discretion of, parental discretion, the soul of discretion

Frequently Asked Questions about Discretion

What does "Discretion" mean?

"Discretion" means the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment, the quality of being discreet; especially, cautious reserve (as in revealing information). As a noun, it is defined as: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment, the quality of being discreet; especially, cautious reserve (as in revealing information). It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Discretion"?

Other words for "Discretion" include common sense, discreetness, gumption, horse sense, levelheadedness, nous, policy and prudence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Discretion" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Discretion"?

There are 104 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Discretion". Common alternatives include common sense, discreetness, gumption, horse sense, levelheadedness, nous, policy, prudence, sense and sensibleness.

What is the opposite of "Discretion"?

Antonyms of "Discretion" include imprudence, indiscretion, disinhibition, incontinence and unconstraint. Near antonyms include shortsightedness, brainlessness, foolishness and half-wittedness.

How do you use "Discretion" in a sentence?

Examples of "Discretion" in a sentence: "we'll rely on your discretion in handling this accusation of cheating"; "ambassadorships are generally regarded as subject to the president's discretion"; "in that job you'll be expected to show discretion and act like a professional at all times".

Is "Discretion" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Discretion" is a noun.

Is "Discretion" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Discretion" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Discretion"?

"Discretion" is pronounced /di-ˈskre-shən/ and divided into syllables as dis·cre·tion.