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
There’s a chance network television could become even more reticent to broadcast anything remotely provocative, which in turn could also inspire blowback from their audiences.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Up to a few months ago, many institutions were still reticent about crypto and digital assets.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the past, Wintour has seemed reticent to discuss it all.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
And when at 1587 Prime, Mahomes won’t be reticent about asking for ketchup.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Up to a few months ago, many institutions were still reticent about crypto and digital assets.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In the past, Wintour has seemed reticent to discuss it all.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
And when at 1587 Prime, Mahomes won’t be reticent about asking for ketchup.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
Later, when Doyle comes into some mysterious bags of cash, and heads toward the mainland with a bottle of booze, a boat, and one last chance to go out in a blaze of self-immolation, Farrell manages to mix dread and adrenaline into every silent expression.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
James Cook was kept relatively silent in this game with 87 yards on 17 carries.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Raised in Iowa and Nebraska, Carson built his career as a host of variety and game shows with an approachable ease, developing a reserved charisma that helped fuel the rise of his show as a gigantically influential program with a massive audience.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Stir in reserved shrimp and sausage.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The project’s prestigious pedigree allowed the producers to be strategic about which partners to invite, rather than having to convince reluctant financiers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But states may remain reluctant to offer the expensive drugs for obesity, because Medicaid recipients frequently churn on and off the coverage as their income changes.—
Phil Galewitz,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Though her identity is not at first known to Benedict, the woman turns out to be Sophie Baek, a secretive maid with big dreams.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
13 Oct. 2025
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However, secretive and unregulated practices by PBMs, which are heavily consolidated, have led to a chorus of drug manufacturers, pharmacists, and government regulators calling for more oversight.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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This would make the policy more fiscally restrained but less universal.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Adams seems hesitant to take too much credit for Dallas’ run-game turnaround.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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Tracking the cons Victims of scams tend to be hesitant to come forward because of the shame that comes with being taken for a ride.—
Katherine Laidlaw,
HubSpot,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Seattle crowd that exploded in the first was quiet.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The three-bedroom property features quintessentially Scandi details like wide plank flooring and high ceilings, and the balcony comes equipped with sofas for quiet coffees in the morning light.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There was also, perhaps, general irritation at the idea that such a successful team should be the recipient of so much dumb luck.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Many students have acted boldly, and occasionally made dumb mistakes, because they were outraged by historical wrongs, incendiary speakers, cultural stereotypes, or other provocations.—
Christopher L. Eisgruber,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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