discreet

adjective

di-ˈskrēt How to pronounce discreet (audio)
Definition of discreetnext
1
as in intelligent
having or showing good judgment and restraint especially in conduct or speech he was very discreet, only saying what was necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in invisible
not readily seen or noticed with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discreet Norton looked handsome and straight old-school Hollywood in a refreshingly classic tux with an equally discreet but cool timepiece to match. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2025 This exclusive neighborhood, nestled along the coastline of California, is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, discreet luxury, and appeal to high-profile residents. — Ally Neagen, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025 If these strategies aren't sufficient, explore internal opportunities or begin a discreet job search. — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Interest from Algeria and other leaders has perhaps been too discreet. — Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discreet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discreet
  1. intelligent
  2. invisible
  3. cautious
  4. unnoticed
  5. prudent
  6. unobtrusive
  7. judicious
  8. inconspicuous
Adjective
  • People have been dreaming about intelligent humanoid robots since the introduction of the beloved family maid Rosey on The Jetsons in the early 1960s.
    — Jim McGregor, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond being intelligent, ethical, musically talented, and dedicated; Emily is a true arts-passionate individual.
    — Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • Bureau staff spot tricks and traps that are invisible to the untrained eye.
    — Mike Calhoun, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This aerial photograph of a frozen lake revealed asymmetrical design that is invisible while standing at ground level.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of invisible
Adjective
  • Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship advised passengers to remain cautious while the ship passed through a piracy-prone area in Southeast Asia, according to a Thursday, March 13, TikTok.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The organization has become more cautious about backing properties that are underinsured, dilapidated, or lack sufficient reserves for maintenance.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • This type of mistake didn't go unnoticed as several of his colleagues pushed back on it.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • While drones, cameras and security staff are visible, much of the technology working behind the scenes goes unnoticed.
    — Josh Bruni, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of unnoticed
Adjective
  • To be sure, there are always inefficiencies in any organization, especially one as large as the US government, and removing inefficiencies is prudent.
    — Kumar Mehta, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The Corleones might suggest keeping friends close and enemies closer — a rule of thumb that proved prudent for Costello as well.
    — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Finally, here's a budget model from TP-Link that delivers surprisingly great 2K video in a compact and unobtrusive package.
    — Karl Klockars, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The sweat-wicking fabric is ideal heading into spring, and the pants even boast spacious yet unobtrusive pockets to hold your phone and other travel essentials.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of unobtrusive
Adjective
  • As is often the case with slow-burn horror built on judicious restraint, those climactic events are arguably less effective in their relative explicitness than the preceding unease.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Just as the great English landscape designers guided beautiful creations with a judicious shaping of the environment but not too much control, Microsoft too is encouraging the flourishing of citizen programmers creating and sharing their knowledge in agents across the organization.
    — John Sviokla, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of judicious
Adjective
  • Just make sure to test the shaving cream on a small, inconspicuous area of the material before applying in larger or more prominent areas.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Though inconspicuous—the largest reach only about one millimeter in length—tardigrades are incredibly resilient.
    — Paulina Rowińska, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of inconspicuous

Browse Nearby Words

discredits
discreet
discreetly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discreet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discreet. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on discreet

Nglish: Translation of discreet for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All