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
Rockies owner Dick Monfort has been reticent to make changes over the years.
—
John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Though Porter County communities have so far been reticent about approving any data center proposals, several Lake County municipalities are more open to the idea.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
This government-wide IG decapitation means the once-robust IG community operates in a culture of fear, likely reticent to open sensitive investigations or issue negative findings.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
And the company's reticent response suggested the whole thing was news to them.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Though Porter County communities have so far been reticent about approving any data center proposals, several Lake County municipalities are more open to the idea.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
This government-wide IG decapitation means the once-robust IG community operates in a culture of fear, likely reticent to open sensitive investigations or issue negative findings.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
And the company's reticent response suggested the whole thing was news to them.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
Owners also must have measures in place to ensure that cannabis is not stolen or diverted, including programs to track each piece of cannabis that enters and leaves their store, as well as more traditional security systems, such as video-surveillance systems and a silent alarm.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
If any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.—
Joshua Rhett Miller
Jesus Mesa
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reservations include a reserved seat and access to the full menu.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Vigorously stir the noodles for a minute, adding some reserved cooking water, a tablespoon or two at a time, until the sauce is glossy and clings to the noodles.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Other teams have shown interest in trading for Kuminga, but the Warriors have been reluctant to accept any sign-and-trade offers.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Both characters struggle to forgive themselves for past mistakes and are reluctant to dive back into relationships.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The tie-up will result in the secretive research units of the two organizations – Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks – working together to build a rapidly deployable and modular range of uncrewed aerial platforms.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Qatar has long history of being neutral territory for thorny diplomatic negotiations, including hosting an office for the Afghan Taliban during secretive talks with the US.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Climate scientists have long been vexed by the disconnect between the dire warnings blared by their models and the restrained policies enacted by world leaders.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
There is nothing restrained about the family room, with brick walls that feature a bright splash of chartreuse (Benjamin Moore’s Wasabi, AF-430).—
Jeanne Lyons Davis,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s encouragement of Walker was enough to spur him into the race, though Republicans as a whole were hesitant, given Walker’s lack of experience and standing as an unknown quantity among GOP voters.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ty noted that some caregivers might be hesitant to open up about their caregiving experience in the workplace for fear of being passed over for promotions or other advancements.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On highways and surface roads in the rural countryside west of Detroit, the 2025 Ford Explorer was smooth and quiet, with plenty of power for highway acceleration.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Napier got a one-year honeymoon until a Week 1 loss at Utah in 2023, the year when the Gators committed a silly amount of dumb penalties (including the original instance of two guys wearing the same jersey).—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The reigning Super Bowl champs better hope that’s the dumbest thing that one of their players does this season.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share