reticent

ret·i·cent

adj \ˈre-tə-sənt\

Definition of RETICENT

1

: inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved

2

: restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance <the room has an aspect of reticent dignity — A. N. Whitehead>

3

: reluctant

— ret·i·cent·ly adverb

Examples of RETICENT

1. <the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations>
2. <her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago>
3. … his friends and associates are conspicuously reticent to discuss him in public. —Martin Flanagan, Manchester Guardian Weekly, 29 Dec. 1991
4. … two or three rather reticent abstract paintings. —Jay Jacobs, Gourmet, January 1979
5. An extremely reticent man, Morris does not like to talk about his experience in personal terms. —Helen Dudar, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct. 1977

Origin of RETICENT

Latin reticent-, reticens, present participle of reticēre to keep silent, from re- + tacēre to be silent — more at tacit

First Known Use: circa 1834

Related to RETICENT

Synonyms: close, closemouthed, dark, secretive, tight-mouthed, uncommunicative

Antonyms: communicative, open

Related Words: quiet, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped; discreet, prudent; clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded

Near Antonyms: candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front; blunt, outspoken, tactless

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See Synonym Discussion at silent