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
Democrats know Trump’s reticence about Epstein has played into their hands.
—
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 18 Nov. 2025
Despite Canales’ reticence, there’s little guesswork involved.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
In fact, some of Indiana's most pro-Trump lawmakers previously expressed reticence about drawing new maps, though some of the opposition softened in the wake of previous meetings with Vance.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 8 Oct. 2025
Amid mass reticence, An Unfinished Film is an essential yet incomplete outlet for unprocessed trauma.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 18 Nov. 2025
Despite Canales’ reticence, there’s little guesswork involved.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
In fact, some of Indiana's most pro-Trump lawmakers previously expressed reticence about drawing new maps, though some of the opposition softened in the wake of previous meetings with Vance.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 8 Oct. 2025
Amid mass reticence, An Unfinished Film is an essential yet incomplete outlet for unprocessed trauma.
—Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence
reluctance
Noun
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The supply issue partly reflects years of underbuilding after the 2008 financial crisis, as well as the reluctance of homeowners who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates during the ensuing recession to relinquish their properties.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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But Trump’s reluctance to rule out taking military action to annex the world's largest non-continental island has frustrated many members of the president's own party.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reticence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticence. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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