Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

taciturn

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of taciturn

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
  • A taciturn man, he almost never initiates a conversation.
Synonyms of taciturn

closemouthed, dumb, laconic, reserved, reticent, silent, tight-lipped, uncommunicative
Words Related to taciturn

aloof, inhibited, introverted, reserved, restrained

sedate, self-contained, sober, staid

backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, modest, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish
Near Antonyms of taciturn

free-spoken, outspoken, vocal

long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy

extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing, sociable
Antonyms of taciturn

blabby, chatty, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, mouthy, talkative, talky, unreserved

Synonym Discussion of taciturn

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking. silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.
    • the strong, silent type
taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.
    • taciturn villagers
reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.
    • was reticent about his plans
reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.
    • greetings were brief, formal, and reserved
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

Learn More about taciturn

  1. See words that rhyme with taciturn Dictionary: Definition of taciturn Spanish Central: Translation of taciturn Nglish: Translation of taciturn for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up taciturn? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games