To guess or surmise someone else's feelings or intentions; to make conjectures about what someone else thinks or wants.
部下は上司の意向を忖度して発言を控えた。
The subordinate refrained from speaking, guessing his boss's intentions.
記者は政治家の本心を忖度して記事を書いた。
The reporter wrote the article after trying to surmise the politician's true feelings.
彼女の表情を忖度して、言葉を選んだ。
I chose my words after guessing from her expression.
Showing deference or excessive consideration to someone's wishes (often used negatively); accommodating powerful people or trying to curry favor.
忖度が横行する組織は、公平さを欠く恐れがある。
Organizations where 'sontaku' runs rampant risk lacking fairness.
彼は上司への忖度で不正を見逃してしまったと批判された。
He was criticized for overlooking wrongdoing out of deference to his boss.
公務員は忖度ではなく法令に従うべきだ。
Public servants should follow the law, not 'sontaku'.