reticent

adjective ret·i·cent \ ˈre-tə-sənt \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

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

—

reticently

adverb

See reticent defined for English-language learners

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Examples of reticent in a Sentence

… his friends and associates are conspicuously reticent to discuss him in public. —Martin Flanagan, Manchester Guardian Weekly, 29 Dec. 1991
… two or three rather reticent abstract paintings. —Jay Jacobs, Gourmet, January 1979
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
the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations
her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago

Recent Examples of reticent from the Web

Brondello has been impressed by how Gulich has not been reticent about communicating with veteran players in Phoenix, which has been tabbed one of the favorites to win a WNBA title.

— andrew greif, OregonLive.com, "Marie Gulich, former Oregon State star, adjusting quickly in WNBA," 11 May 2018
Kip, who had good size and weight, was not so reticent and made more than a dozen retrieves.

— john schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Sandhill cranes make their annual short and noisy Interior Alaska stopover," 7 May 2018
Even then, his stoicism was a perfect front for one of the most reticent organizations in sports.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "The Divide Between Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs," 16 Apr. 2018
The backlash has caused the typically reticent company to speak out.

— stephen battaglio, latimes.com, "Backlash grows over Sinclair Broadcast Group's 'must-run' conservative content on local TV stations," 5 Apr. 2018
While other European leaders have been reticent about indulging Trump, Macron has managed to cut through the noise.

— melissa bell and james masters, CNN, "Macron to put 'bromance' with Trump to the test during US visit," 23 Apr. 2018
O’Rourke wants to be taken seriously, to persuade reticent voters that his candidacy is worth their emotional (and financial) investment.

— gilbert garcia, San Antonio Express-News, "New poll helps both O’Rourke and Cruz," 19 Apr. 2018
The other three sheriffs were more reticent about the deployment.

— doug stanglin, USA TODAY, "Trump says 'caravan' threat from Mexico breaks up before National Guard arrives," 5 Apr. 2018
Diego is more reticent, his eyes frequently darting away from the conversation, looking down.

— ben teitelbaum, SI.com, "A Dream Re-Routed: Deported Maryland Brothers Seek Options, Play on After Being Banished," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reticent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The History of reticent is Less Than 200 Years Old

Reticent first appeared about 170 years ago, but the "reluctant" sense of "reticent" is a mid-20th century introduction. Though it is now well-established, this newer sense bothers some people, particularly because it has veered away from the word's Latin origins - "reticent" is from the verb "reticēre," meaning "to keep silent." But there is some sense in the way the newer meaning developed. We first tended to use the "reluctant" sense of "reticent" when the context was speech (as in "reticent to talk about her past"), thus keeping the word close to its "silent" sense. Eventually, however, exclusive association with speech was abandoned. Now one can be "reticent" to do anything.

Origin and Etymology of reticent

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1825

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

reticent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reticent

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking. silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

- the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

- taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

- was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

- greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

- the secretive research and development division

RETICENT Defined for English Language Learners

reticent

adjective

Definition of reticent for English Language Learners

: not willing to tell people about things

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reticent

Definition of reticent

reticently

Examples of reticent in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reticent from the Web

The History of reticent is Less Than 200 Years Old

Origin and Etymology of reticent

reticent Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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RETICENT Defined for English Language Learners

reticent

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