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
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Recent Examples of reticence
Governor does not comment on hypotheticals, spokesman says DeWine's reticence on the guard question came a little more than a half hour into a press conference called to announce a new agreement for the state patrol to assist crime-fighting in Cincinnati.
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Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
As a result, no one can be blamed for approaching this latest entry in the multibillion-dollar franchise with reticence.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the reticence evolved after that rule change and as the industry broadened its shareholder base.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Yet even as that becomes his moral journey, the film has a bone-deep respect for the character’s inner reticence.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
As a result, no one can be blamed for approaching this latest entry in the multibillion-dollar franchise with reticence.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the reticence evolved after that rule change and as the industry broadened its shareholder base.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Yet even as that becomes his moral journey, the film has a bone-deep respect for the character’s inner reticence.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence
reluctance
Noun
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Part of the reason for the decision, Acosta said, was the reluctance of his underage victims to testify.—
Julie K Brown,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
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Trump has suggested the missiles could serve as leverage to bring Putin to the table, but his reluctance mirrors earlier delays in sanctions and aid to Kyiv.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticence. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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