RETICENCE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

reticence

noun

ˈre-tə-sən(t)s

as in reluctance

a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something the publisher's reticence to make content available online for free

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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 reticence By November, the nation might long for a rebirth of political reticence. —

George F. Will, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Part of that apparent reticence can be explained by how differently Arsenal are playing this season. —

Art De Roché, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2026 As Leland, a teen who kills his ex-girlfriend’s developmentally disabled brother, Gosling mostly stays blank and vacant; his unwavering reticence is required by Matthew Ryan Hoge’s script, which relies on a final reveal to justify its existence. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 In Florida’s capital, there was little stomach for persistent deep-state reticence. —

Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reticence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence

reluctance

Noun

There has so far been a reluctance to budge, citing that football has a contractual priority during its season.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
There’s also a reluctance to become reliant on Nvidia’s chips on the Chinese side.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 May 2026