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
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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
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But those overtures to reticent lawmakers over Diet Cokes have largely faded as Senate Republicans have labored to pass their version of the bill, long the party’s signature pledge to its base.
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To get reticent researchers and institutions to share their data and hasten cures.
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Some of the most reticent senators come from states where health-care systems stand to lose the most financially if the bill passed.
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Some of the most reticent senators come from states where health-care systems stand to lose the most financially if the bill passed.
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Some of the most reticent senators come from states where health-care systems stand to lose the most financially if the bill passed.
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Some of the most reticent senators come from states where health-care systems stand to lose the most financially if the bill passed.
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People in the glitzy metropolis were reticent to talk about what’s happening.
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Hogan has been reticent to directly criticize Trump’s policies even as Democrats in Maryland have increasingly pressured him to do so.
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
Synonym Discussion of reticent
RETICENT Defined for English Language Learners
reticent
playDefinition of reticent for English Language Learners
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: not willing to tell people about things
Learn More about reticent
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reticent Spanish Central: Translation of reticent Nglish: Translation of reticent for Spanish speakers
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