1
as in silent
given to keeping one's 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reserved
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reluctant
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reticent
But his administration is hardly reticent about denouncing other countries’ internal conduct.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Studio executives will convene in the Riviera facing an avalanche of questions from their foreign colleagues, who may be more reticent to do business.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 4 May 2025
The loneliness in both women is palpable, and the good fortune of sharing space in this odd, specifically American holiday is embraced by both, despite Jane being much more reticent to engage with Luna, who has charming giggles for days.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Lue’s two stars are reticent, but James Harden and Kawhi Leonard spoke volumes with their play in forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Studio executives will convene in the Riviera facing an avalanche of questions from their foreign colleagues, who may be more reticent to do business.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 4 May 2025
The loneliness in both women is palpable, and the good fortune of sharing space in this odd, specifically American holiday is embraced by both, despite Jane being much more reticent to engage with Luna, who has charming giggles for days.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Lue’s two stars are reticent, but James Harden and Kawhi Leonard spoke volumes with their play in forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
The system has 60 chime tones and five volume levels, including a silent mode with flashing lights, which is great for nap times or users with hearing needs.—
Kat de Naoum,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2025
-
Occidental Studios, which dates back to 1913, was once used by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to make silent films.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
And after all of that: a reserved viewing space on Pier 17.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Eastern Conference executive No. 2: More quiet, on the reserved side.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Cops were reluctant at first to charge Augustin with a hate crime.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
-
But Republicans have been very reluctant to rein in Trump's power on other issues and remain publicly divided on Iran.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, a central question surrounding the new resort is if one of the world’s most secretive and repressive countries is prepared to make more of a new foray into international tourism, potentially adding to its foreign cash reserves and prestige.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
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The drama all unfolded in the secretive Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a unit created by Mayor Adams to evaluate the performance of city agencies that operated out of 375 Pearl St. behind police headquarters.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lemon The little black dress of garnishes, at once flirty and restrained.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 June 2025
-
With two monochrome takes on intricate guilloché work the new dial designs come across as more restrained, even with baguette-cut indices.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
And compared to past conflicts, the American public—especially young people—are far more hesitant about war.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Miami’s existing condo inventory is on the rise, but new listings have fallen, a sign that some owners may be hesitant to sell because of market conditions or worries about the price of moving elsewhere.—
CD Goette-Luciak,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Thematically, the capsule centers around themes including African rest and quiet luxury.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
27 June 2025
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The quiet horror is that even 20 years later, the fence has not disappeared.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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