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
Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
His reticence drove a wedge between him and his three closest friends.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Europe’s reticence stands in contrast to the approaches of Canada and China, which have both enforced retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s protectionist trade policies in recent months.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
His dad’s customary reticence meant Specktor had work to do.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
His reticence drove a wedge between him and his three closest friends.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Europe’s reticence stands in contrast to the approaches of Canada and China, which have both enforced retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s protectionist trade policies in recent months.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
His dad’s customary reticence meant Specktor had work to do.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence
reluctance
Noun
-
His unwise challenge of an Evander Kane goal in Game 3 started the deluge, and the combination of his reluctance to use the guys at the end of his bench and a prevent defense mentality certainly didn’t help as the Oilers consistently outplayed the Kings in the third period and beyond.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
10 May 2025
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Something that continues to concern Penn, known for his stellar performances in films such as Milk, Mystic River, Taps, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, is the current threats to journalism and the media and some’s reluctance or fear to speak truth to power.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticence. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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