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 Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025 After all, it’s been days since she’s had a morsel, and she’s got a taciturn little lion hunter in the oven! Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025 There’s the driver (Mitchell Cole), a taciturn dude with a thick Southern accent who spent some time in the military. Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025 Gray Alys recruits the taciturn Boyce to be her guide through the treacherous region. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taciturn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taciturn
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
  • In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Taciturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taciturn. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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