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
The ‘big three’ countries of India, Australia and England have been reticent given that slipping into the lower bracket would scupper their money-making plans.
—
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Legend in the making: Kelsie Domer of Dublin On the other end of the competitor spectrum is Kelsie Domer, a breakaway roper who is reticent to make brash predictions, but whose résumé speaks for itself.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Legend in the making: Kelsie Domer of Dublin On the other end of the competitor spectrum is Kelsie Domer, a breakaway roper who is reticent to make brash predictions, but whose résumé speaks for itself.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
Plus, each drawer opens and closes smoothly thanks to the silent metal slide construction.—
Bridget Degnan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 May 2025
-
There were silent Sunday night dinners at restaurants and essentially no contact with any extended relatives.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Economists and geopolitical experts, however, are more reserved in their appraisal of the agreement.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved marinade and toss to coat.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Foreign governments are increasingly reluctant to crack down on U.S. tech firms—not just because of their digital leverage and economic clout but also because doing so could provoke official backlash from Washington.—
Ian Bremmer,
Foreign Affairs,
13 May 2025
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Automakers themselves are reluctant to call attention to any price increases, out of fears of chasing away customers and of angering the Trump administration.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The secretive process is expected to take multiple days and will result in new leadership for the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
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Key Background Prevost was elected pope Thursday after the secretive conclave process began a day earlier, in which cardinals elect the new pope through rounds of secret ballots.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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While some organizations are understandably hesitant to abandon on-premises infrastructure entirely due to concerns over security, regulatory compliance, and data control, the reality is that maintaining an AI-ready on-premises data center often proves cost-prohibitive and operationally unfeasible.—
Ivo Ivanov,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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That prospect has left a number of moderate and vulnerable Republicans hesitant to cut a program that covers their constituents and risk facing political backlash in next year’s elections.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The saw-whets, perhaps intimidated by the larger owl, had gone quiet.—
Brad Dokken,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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Brazile, a current ABC News contributor, added that Biden stayed relatively quiet during Trump's first 100 days in office this term, honoring an unwritten presidential tradition, and stressed that Biden deserves a platform.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
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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 24 May. 2025.
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