Synonym Chooser

How is the word taciturn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of taciturn are reserved, reticent, secretive, and silent. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

When would reserved be a good substitute for taciturn?

The synonyms reserved and taciturn are sometimes interchangeable, but reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When could reticent be used to replace taciturn?

The words reticent and taciturn can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

Where would secretive be a reasonable alternative to taciturn?

Although the words secretive and taciturn have much in common, 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

When is it sensible to use silent instead of taciturn?

The words silent and taciturn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taciturn And Belichick, known for being extremely press-shy and taciturn, has returned the favor by showing his affection for her on social media and beyond. Alex Apatoff, People.com, 2 May 2025 His character is taciturn, a mountain of a man who seems both fully controlled and ready to erupt, and Cage keeps you on your toes the whole way. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 2 May 2025 But so is Smoke, though Jordan gives him a taciturn tenderness. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025 Unlike Mitch McConnell, the taciturn and cunning leader at the time, Thune genuinely tried to answer questions. David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taciturn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taciturn
Adjective
  • 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
  • The main lot of Occidental Studios, a complex near downtown Los Angeles that touts its legacy dating back to the silent film era, is on the market.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Some of those more restrained alternatives would demand less of the U.S. military and thus cost far less, too.
    JENNIFER LIND, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • Markets also rose on Monday after Iran’s restrained response to the U.S. strike against Iran over the weekend.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Taciturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taciturn. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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