as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
the publisher's reticence to make content available online for free
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 reticence
The reticence around jumping on the Mamdani train has highlighted an identity crisis of sorts playing out inside the party as its leaders wrestle with whether the 33-year-old Queens Assembly member is a model for the future of Democratic party politics.
—
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
The story noted the hospital's increasing reticence to comment on any political or controversial topics.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 1 Aug. 2025
Christmas expressed reticence, however, about removing labels for systemic estrogen, which carries a different risk profile for cancer.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 25 July 2025
In an exclusive excerpt shared with PEOPLE last year, the author wrote how a major sticking point of the couple's early relationship was Kennedy's reticence to allow Bessette to meet his mother.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
The story noted the hospital's increasing reticence to comment on any political or controversial topics.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 1 Aug. 2025
Christmas expressed reticence, however, about removing labels for systemic estrogen, which carries a different risk profile for cancer.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 25 July 2025
In an exclusive excerpt shared with PEOPLE last year, the author wrote how a major sticking point of the couple's early relationship was Kennedy's reticence to allow Bessette to meet his mother.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence
reluctance
Noun
-
Added to this natural reluctance, competition between institutions has subverted collaboration to increase net welfare.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This decision reflects a broader reluctance to empower oversight even in the face of rising public demand for transparency and accountability.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticence. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share