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
Ng’s father is reticent about his immigration story.
—
Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
This simple act of writing down your thoughts, which is often easier for the emotionally reticent, is an easy way to do it.
—Jim Vandehei, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
However, Ciara has always been a bit of a slow burn, more on the quiet side and reticent to open up to new people.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Behind them, the forest rose up, dense and inscrutable, reticent to divulge its life.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
This simple act of writing down your thoughts, which is often easier for the emotionally reticent, is an easy way to do it.
—Jim Vandehei, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
However, Ciara has always been a bit of a slow burn, more on the quiet side and reticent to open up to new people.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Behind them, the forest rose up, dense and inscrutable, reticent to divulge its life.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
The writer was directed to a secret Disney warehouse where he was confronted with a Baby Yoda robot that was able to respond to him, including seeming disappointed when the writer was silent.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As a gesture of its deep appreciation, any active duty, retired, or reserved members can enjoy an exclusive 10% military discount off their orders.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The stadium pass gives you the same access to the campus and outer courts for either the morning or evening session, and then a reserved stadium seat for two to three matches.—
Martin Vassolo,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Speaking with InStyle, Johansson said she’s become a reluctant voice in the AI conversation but won’t back down either.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This time Ford and a reluctant McClintock can't afford not to act as the bodies keep piling up.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Rather, this sensible, sensitive, and sometimes quite beautiful portrayal of modern animal husbandry wants to reveal the secretive process of how meat lands on your plate.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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The once secretive analytics company has become a consumer brand that anyone looking to finance a car or home obsesses over.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His restrained direction keeps the brothers in check and underpowered.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
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The statement, written by lawmakers who are typically more restrained in their comments given their sensitive roles on security issues, contained some of the party’s most pointed criticism yet of Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk just hours before the president was to address a joint session of Congress.—
Carl Hulse,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Joey’s still hesitant about Monica’s sister, Nicolle.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
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But with Trump’s tariffs threatening imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, Target could face additional challenges as consumers grow more hesitant.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On the first day of the legal tampering period, the Cowboys were quiet for most of the day and then added a running back.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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The Kansas City Chiefs offseason haul has been relatively quiet, with the team landing running back Elijah Mitchell and offensive tackle Jaylen Moore.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
Articles Related to reticent
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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