discretion

/dɪˈskreʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskreʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈskre-shən/ (ame, mw)

discretion — noun

1. the quality of carefully choosing how to speak and act when dealing with sensiti

1.名詞B2
釋義

the quality of carefully choosing how to speak and act when dealing with sensitive matters, so that you do not embarrass others or reveal private information

例句

Isabela handled the awkward question about her colleague's departure with great discretion.

collocation: 'with discretion' for careful behaviour

The therapist assured Sayaka that everything she said would be treated with the strictest discretion.

passive: 'treated with discretion'

同義詞
  • tact

    focuses on saying the right thing to avoid hurting feelings; discretion adds secrecy

  • prudence

    emphasises careful long-term thinking; discretion focuses on immediate social sensitivity

  • circumspection

    more formal and suggests cautiousness in all actions, not just speech

  • caution

    broader — avoids risk or danger; discretion adds secrecy and social awareness

反義詞
  • indiscretion

    the direct opposite: behaviour that embarrasses or reveals secrets

  • recklessness

    acting without thought for consequences, including social ones

文法句型

with discretion

treat/handle something with discretion

用法筆記

Often used in the pattern 'with discretion', meaning 'carefully and without drawing attention'. The related adjective is discreet (not discrete, which means 'separate and distinct').

常見錯誤

❌Please be discrete about the surprise party.
✅Please be discreet about the surprise party.
💡'discreet' means careful/tactful; 'discrete' means separate and distinct.
❌She showed a discretion that impressed everyone.
✅She showed discretion that impressed everyone.
💡'discretion' is uncountable and rarely used with the indefinite article in this sense.

2. the right or power to choose what to do or decide what is best when a choice is

2.名詞B2
釋義

the right or power to choose what to do or decide what is best when a choice is needed, using your own judgment rather than following fixed rules

例句

The school principal has full discretion to decide how to spend the activity budget.

pattern: 'have full discretion to [verb]'

Whether to offer a refund is entirely at the manager's discretion.

pattern: 'at [someone's] discretion'

同義詞
  • judgment

    focuses on the thinking process; discretion emphasises the freedom to use that judgment

  • choice

    simpler and more general; discretion implies authority and responsibility behind the choice

  • authority

    includes the power to command others; discretion is more about individual decision-making

  • latitude

    suggests a flexible range within limits; discretion is the freedom to decide within those limits

反義詞
  • obligation

    no freedom to choose — you must act in a fixed way

  • compulsion

    being forced to act, not having a choice

文法句型

at [one's] discretion

have discretion to [verb]

within [one's] discretion

用法筆記

Common in formal and institutional contexts. The phrase 'at your discretion' means 'as you decide'. Unlike sense 1, this sense often appears with possessives ('the committee's discretion') and modifiers ('full discretion', 'sole discretion'). Frequently used in legal, administrative, and workplace language.

常見錯誤

❌The judge acted outside his discretions.
✅The judge acted outside his discretion.
💡'discretion' is uncountable; do not add a plural -s.
❌We leave it at your discretion to decide the colour.
✅We leave the choice of colour to your discretion.
💡'at your discretion' already implies decision-making; avoid redundancy with 'to decide'.