1
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
understandably, she's reticent about becoming involved with another evangelical religious sect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reticent
He’s dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 24-of-35 draws, hasn’t been reticent to lower his shoulder (five hits in the season opener) and been an ever-present pest at the top of the crease in the offensive zone.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Red-cheeked and reticent, the duo shook their heads and took their sheepish leave.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The governor, a longtime ally of Big Tech, has been reticent to adopt stringent oversight.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
There’s a chance network television could become even more reticent to broadcast anything remotely provocative, which in turn could also inspire blowback from their audiences.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Red-cheeked and reticent, the duo shook their heads and took their sheepish leave.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The governor, a longtime ally of Big Tech, has been reticent to adopt stringent oversight.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
There’s a chance network television could become even more reticent to broadcast anything remotely provocative, which in turn could also inspire blowback from their audiences.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in Voghera, near Milan, on May 11, 1932, named after silent movie actor Rudolph Valentino.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Understandably excited, Quayle couldn’t resist a playful shoulder punch to the older, reserved Bush, who smiled awkwardly.—
Time,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
-
There are general admission, reserved tickets and box seating viewing areas.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While the expansion has led to more arrests, especially in Florida, many local agencies are reluctant to participate.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Each page features full-color illustrations and only a few lines of text, making Xolo an excellent pick for reluctant readers, graphic novel lovers, and kids who’ve just begun to find their way into longer stories.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Their eagerness to satisfy his trademark meticulousness has an identifiable influence on what would become the highly secretive Pluribus.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Anecdotal news reports, dating back to 1947, meanwhile, have linked the sightings to secretive nuclear technology tests.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That doesn’t explain the physical dominance that feels more restrained these days.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Using restrained color palettes, natural materials, and touches of drama, Lind and her team at her eponymous firm bring out their clients’ unique personal styles to create homes perfectly suited to their lives.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But so far, the bottom rung of the corporate ladder is being most affected; employers are using AI to automate simpler, lower-level tasks, managers are hesitant to hire Gen Z professionals, and internships are dwindling.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
-
His aggressive and unpredictable tariffs have only exacerbated that, as businesses have become hesitant to hire more workers due to uncertainty.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With stunning celerity, possibility becomes probability and then certainty, as readers reject the quiet, circuitous, and unglamorous narratives of prudential compromise, ambiguous diplomacy, or incremental progress.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Still, this isn’t about contemplation or quiet reflection.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But also these dumb things, from another perspective, can have a certain type of digital trashy poetry.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The bounty hunter kills some random dudes who are dumb enough to cross him and steals a Falka doll from some little girls who have adopted the Rats as folk heroes.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share