Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

reticent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of reticent

1 given to keeping oneʼs activities hidden from public observation or knowledge

  • the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations
Synonyms of reticent

close, closemouthed, dark, secretive, tight-mouthed, uncommunicative
Words Related to reticent

quiet, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped

discreet, prudent

clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded
Near Antonyms of reticent

candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front

blunt, outspoken, tactless
Antonyms of reticent

communicative, open

2 tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)

  • her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago
Synonyms of reticent

closemouthed, dumb, laconic, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative
Words Related to reticent

aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, reserved, restrained

sedate, self-contained, sober, staid

backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, modest, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish
Near Antonyms of reticent

free-spoken, outspoken, vocal

gossipy, talebearing

diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy

extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing, sociable
Antonyms of reticent

blabby, chatty, communicative, conversational, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky, unreserved

3 slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty

  • understandably, she's reticent about becoming involved with another evangelical religious sect
Synonyms of reticent

cagey (also cagy), disinclined, dubious, hesitant, indisposed, loath (also loth), reluctant
Words Related to reticent

uneager, unenthusiastic

averse, unwilling

ambivalent, conflicted, doubtful, faltering, halting, indecisive, infirm, irresolute, questioning, skeptical, uncertain, undecided, unsure, vacillating, wobbly (also wabbly)

fainthearted, shy, timid
Near Antonyms of reticent

eager, enthusiastic, glad, happy, keen

ready, willing

certain, decided, determined, resolute, sure, unquestioning
Antonyms of reticent

disposed, inclined

Synonym Discussion of reticent

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking. silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.
    • the strong, silent type
taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.
    • taciturn villagers
reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.
    • was reticent about his plans
reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.
    • greetings were brief, formal, and reserved
secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.
    • the secretive research and development division

Learn More about reticent

  1. Dictionary: Definition of reticent Spanish Central: Translation of reticent Nglish: Translation of reticent for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up reticent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

biannual

occurring twice a year or every two years

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games