reticent

adjective

ret·i·cent | \ 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

Other Words from reticent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The History of Reticent Is Less Than 200 Years Old More Example Sentences Learn More about reticent

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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.

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 on the Web

This includes appointing one person to make sure reticent employees speak up. — Sue Shellenbarger, WSJ, "The Most Anxious Generation Goes to Work," 9 May 2019 Crime victims who are in the country illegally may be reticent to share that information. — Colleen Long, The Seattle Times, "Trump immigrant crime hotline still faces hurdles, pushback," 5 Feb. 2019 North Korea has long been reticent of such outside scrutiny. — Matthew Pennington, Fox News, "North Korea's offer of concessions comes with a catch for US," 20 Sep. 2018 From the start, both religious and political leaders there have been noticeably reticent, apparently content to stand back and watch the Saudi position unravel. — Souad Mekhennet, The Seattle Times, "Nations fear fallout could trigger instability in the region," 23 Oct. 2018 Juicy and fresh, with unusual aromas and flavors of watermelon and potpourri. Austere and reticent, with stony aromas and flavors of citrus and flowers. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, "American Rosés Without Clichés," 5 July 2018 Ian Schrager has always been reticent to discuss the club. — Julia Felsenthal, Vogue, "Matt Tyrnauer’s New Documentary, Studio 54, Takes On the Rise, Fall, and Last Days of Disco," 4 Oct. 2018 While automakers have been reticent to speak out against these moves, many have adjusted their outlooks and warned investors of potential negative effects. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "The Ford Focus is dead in the US because of Trump’s trade war," 31 Aug. 2018 Adrian Joffe, the president of Dover Street Market (and husband of the notoriously reticent Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo) acknowledged that Los Angeles hardly brims with fashion fans. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "Los Angeles Is a Fashion Wasteland. Can One Store Change That?," 5 Nov. 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.