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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reticent
Indiana's redistricting bill passed the Senate's elections committee, clearing its first hurdle in the chamber that has been reticent to take up the issue.
—
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Dec. 2025
Trump is not wrong to think the idea could help free up homeowners who may be reticent to move in the current rate environment.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
That kind of prejudice is enough to make any introvert become more reticent.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
There's the prickly, reticent Margaret — and the crackling chemistry between the two writers who are supposed to be competing.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 9 Dec. 2025
Trump is not wrong to think the idea could help free up homeowners who may be reticent to move in the current rate environment.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025
That kind of prejudice is enough to make any introvert become more reticent.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
There's the prickly, reticent Margaret — and the crackling chemistry between the two writers who are supposed to be competing.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
As Jaclyn and Kate wax poetic about a dream vacation that never happened, Laurie’s weary, silent glances seem to tee up an explosive confrontation.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tisdale refused to stay silent, and texted the group after being left behind on another plan.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Stir in the reserved sausage, beans and turnip greens.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Alex was a more reluctant participant, dutifully tagging along during Maia’s lessons, but more interested in mirroring Michael Jordan’s career on the basketball court.—
Alice Park,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the late 1960s, Fowler was charged with the Herculean task of planning and building Disney’s secretive Project X — which would become Florida’s Magic Kingdom.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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The decision was a significant win for the town leadership, which has been under political fire from a band of detractors accusing it of being secretive and ignoring the will of voters.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Flanagan stars as Betty, a proud but emotionally restrained mother struggling with her daughter’s return, while Crowley plays Áine’s father Seamus.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
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The year 2025 saw high levels of deadly violence around the world, as conflicts grew less restrained, with civilians increasingly victims of attacks by governments and non-state actors alike, according to monitoring data.—
Susannah George,
Washington Post,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Republicans are hesitant to quit the procedure because Democrats could retake the Senate majority in future elections, and that would give them a bill-passing advantage.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Haro-Ramos co-authored a study published in 2024 that found many Latinos were hesitant to get vaccinated because of fears about their immigration status, and that experiencing health discrimination like care denials or delays increased their vaccine hesitancy.—
Phillip Reese,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The lightweight fabric is also quiet, so you won’t be awoken from crinkling material.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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The family settled in a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.—
Michael Biesecker,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As Legally Blonde's Elle Woods, Witherspoon charted a memorable path from dumb blonde to Harvard Law School graduate.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
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Celebrities fight it out to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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