discretion
- 1Care taken not to share private things or cause embarrassment.
Like keeping a friend's secret instead of telling everyone.
She handled the delicate situation with great discretion.
I trust your discretion when discussing these family matters.
Similartact, confidentiality, circumspection, diplomacy, prudence
Oppositeindiscretion, tactlessness, imprudence, carelessness
Note
- 2The freedom to make your own choices and decisions.
Like being told you can pick any route to get there.
Employees have the discretion to set their own schedules.
She gave her team full discretion over the design.
Similarlatitude, freedom, leeway, liberty, license
Oppositeconstraint, restriction, compulsion
Note
- 3The official power to decide something using your own judgment.
Like a referee who can decide a close call using their own judgment.
The manager has the discretion to approve small refunds.
Judges use discretion when deciding how long a sentence should be.
Similarauthority, prerogative, power, remit, jurisdiction
Note
- 4The ability to make wise and sensible choices.
Like a wise older person who usually makes good choices.
Her financial discretion kept the family budget balanced through hard times.
He showed good discretion in choosing reliable partners for the venture.
Similarjudgment, wisdom, prudence, discernment, sense
Oppositeimprudence, foolishness, folly, recklessness
Note
Practice
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Origin
It came through Old French from Latin, from a word meaning to separate or tell apart.