Discretion is the quality of behaving in a quiet and controlled way without drawing attention to yourself or giving away personal or private information.
[formal]
Larsson sometimes joined in the fun, but with more discretion.
He appreciated his discretion and his fidelity.
2. uncountable noun
If someone in a position of authority uses their discretion or has thediscretion to do something in a particular situation, they have the freedom and authority to decide what to do.
[formal]
This committee may want to exercise its discretion to look into those charges.
Courts would have the discretion to impose a community order.
3.
See at the discretion of someone
4.
See discretion is the better part of valour
More Synonyms of discretion
discretion in British English
(dɪˈskrɛʃən)
noun
1.
the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
2.
freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit (esp in the phrases at one's own discretion, at the discretion of)
3. age of discretion
discretion in American English
(dɪˈskrɛʃən)
noun
1.
the freedom or authority to make decisions and choices; power to judge or act
2.
the quality of being discreet, or careful about what one does and says; prudence
3. Archaic
the action or power of discerning; judgment
Idioms:
at one's discretion
Word origin
ME discrecioun < OFr discrecion < L discretio, separation (in LL, discernment) < discretus: see discreet
Examples of 'discretion' in a sentence
discretion
The applicant did not ask the deputy master to exercise his discretion to extend time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The recommendation makes no mention of giving judges any discretion to allow publication of the identity of a young offender.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Retail pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer and the final price the consumer pays for our products is set by individual retailers.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Wide discretion has to be exercised in selecting the tiny minority against whom proceedings are taken.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It leaves a great deal of discretion for staff to organise things as they see fit.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The remuneration committee used its discretion and approved the awards.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Chip shops can refuse entry or service at their sole discretion.
The Sun (2012)
In some circumstances the ref has to be allowed discretion.
The Sun (2011)
This is especially true when income rises sufficiently for considerable discretion to be exercised in its disposal.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
Your overdraft was at the absolute discretion of the branch manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The fund will be administered by trustees with a wide discretion to select worthy beneficiaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Great wisdom and discretion are needed here.
Christianity Today (2000)
The chairman of the committee has absolute discretion to limit all bonuses.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But officers should be allowed discretion as to when to record stop and encounters.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The question was whether the exercise of discretion had been exceeded in the present circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Absolute discretion would be required of him.
Rodney Bolt HISTORY PLAY: The Lives and After-life of Christopher Marlowe (2004)
Judges should have a wide discretion to temper justice with mercy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The company finished fourth but the remuneration committee decided to exercise discretion and allow some of theaward.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Councils have lost not only most of their financial freedom of manoeuvre but also discretion to decide their own priorities and policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We want glamour, he wants discretion.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
As jury inquests are expensive, this may be a discretion infrequently used.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It will be decided at the discretion of the Editor.
The Sun (2006)
The committee used its discretion, investors were told.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Judges could be given the discretion to decide which offenders were allowed to vote, the ruling added.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I'd also have thought it would be better to have a completely different name tattooed upon your person if you really wanted to maintain discretion.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He added that the island's Government needed to exercise great discretion before removingthe statues of a man who always dreamt of reclaiming the mainland.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I feel that, as it has reduced the included benefits at its sole discretion, my mother should receive her refund.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Quotations
Discretion is the better part of valour
In other languages
discretion
British English: discretion /dɪˈskrɛʃən/ NOUN
Discretion is the quality of behaving in a quiet and controlled way without attracting attention or giving away private information.
He sometimes joined in the fun, but with more discretion.
American English: discretion
Arabic: تَعَقُّل
Brazilian Portuguese: discrição
Chinese: 谨慎
Croatian: diskrecija
Czech: diskrétnost
Danish: diskretion
Dutch: discretie
European Spanish: discreción
Finnish: tahdikkuus
French: discrétion
German: Diskretion
Greek: διακριτικότητα
Italian: discrezione
Japanese: 分別
Korean: 자유 재량
Norwegian: diskresjon
Polish: dyskrecja
European Portuguese: discrição
Romanian: discreție
Russian: благоразумие
Latin American Spanish: discreción
Swedish: diskretion
Thai: การใช้ดุลยพินิจ
Turkish: sağduyu
Ukrainian: розсуд
Vietnamese: sự thận trọng
Chinese translation of 'discretion'
discretion
(dɪsˈkrɛʃən)
n(u)
(= tact) 谨(謹)慎 (jǐnshèn)
at the discretion of sb (frm) 由某人自行处(處)理 (yóu mǒurén zìxíng chǔlǐ)
to have the discretion to do sth (frm) 有做某事的决(決)定权(權) (yǒu zuò mǒushì de juédìngquán)
to use one's discretion (frm) 由某人自行决(決)定 (yóu mǒurén zìxíng juédìng)
1 (noun)
Definition
the quality of behaving so as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
This task requires the utmost discretion.
Synonyms
tact
Her tact and intuition never failed.
care
I chose my words with care.
consideration
judgment
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
caution
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution in icy weather.
diplomacy
It took all his powers of diplomacy to get them to work together.
good sense
prudence
He urged prudence rather than haste on any new resolution.
acumen
Her sharp business acumen meant she quickly rose to the top.
wariness
Extreme wariness is the safest policy when dealing with this machinery.
discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
circumspection
Handling difficult customers requires tact and circumspection.
sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
carefulness
judiciousness
heedfulness
Opposites
indiscretion
,
carelessness
,
insensitivity
,
thoughtlessness
,
rashness
,
tactlessness
2 (noun)
Definition
freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit
She was given the money to use at her own discretion.
Synonyms
choice
will
He was forced to leave the country against his will.
wish
Clearly she had no wish for his company.
liking
She had a liking for good clothes.
mind
They could interpret it that way if they'd a mind to.
option
He was jailed for thirty days without the option of a fine.
pleasure
Let me buy you a treat. What's your pleasure?
preference
Whatever your preference, we have a product to suit you.
inclination
She set out to follow her artistic inclinations.
disposition
predilection
his predilection for expensive whisky
volition
committing crimes of violence through cold, premeditated volition
proverb
Discretion is the better part of valour
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acumen
Definition
the ability to make good decisions
Her sharp business acumen meant she quickly rose to the top.
Synonyms
judgment,
intelligence,
perception,
wisdom,
insight,
wit,
ingenuity,
sharpness,
cleverness,
keenness,
shrewdness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
smartness,
smarts (slang, US),
astuteness,
acuteness,
perspicuity
in the sense of care
Definition
careful or serious attention
I chose my words with care.
Synonyms
caution,
attention,
regard,
pains,
consideration,
heed,
prudence,
vigilance,
forethought,
circumspection,
watchfulness,
meticulousness,
carefulness
in the sense of caution
Definition
care or prudence, esp. in the face of danger
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution in icy weather.