RETICENCE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

reticence

noun

ˈre-tə-sən(t)s

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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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 In Florida’s capital, there was little stomach for persistent deep-state reticence. —

Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 Part of me thinks Americans’ reticence is political. —

Nicole Russell, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 Sweeney did concede that the uncertainty around two of the four first-round picks (the Toronto pick this year is top-5 protected and the Florida pick next year is top-10 protected) added to the reticence to move any of them. —

Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026 Resolving Differences Challenging reticence has propelled the firm in a modern era. —

Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reticence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence

reluctance

Noun

Every generation faces a new wave of technological disruption and responds with the same blend of overconfidence, short-termism, and reluctance to let go of what’s working.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
And one reason may be their reluctance to give back.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026