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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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
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That's not the only problem with the silent update, though.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every Wednesday night, Erika Hernandez's home has an open door—and a reserved seat—for her late son's best friend.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
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Members of the State Department's diplomatic corps have a reserved section.—
Javier Zarracina,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Here is another gloomy spaceship, abounding in grim experiments and hostile personalities, with Pattinson once more playing a reluctant space traveller.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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At nearly every turn, he’s been able to get away with it, often with the reluctant acquiescence of Western leaders, from George W. Bush to Angela Merkel, who looked away from his misdeeds for the sake of diplomatic comity.—
Bret Stephens,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The United States Space Force released a rare photo of its secretive X-37B space plane in orbit.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Walter has joined the exclusive Stepford Men's Association and becomes increasingly secretive and distant.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The commissioner’s restrained view of the FTC’s mission was inconsistent with Roosevelt’s policy agenda, which was the reason the president gave for dismissing him.—
Jacob Sullum,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
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Though the Franco-American relationship had cooled by then, Trump and Macron shook hands in a somewhat restrained manner. 2024: The Shake Seen Around The World Last December, Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Paris ahead of the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 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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The brand’s floral patterns symbolize joy, beauty and the timeless love of bold abstraction in an era of quiet luxury.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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The strange particulars of his passing remain a mystery thus far, but Hackman’s life was lived in quiet defiance of Hollywood fame and the strictures of celebrity.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 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
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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 12 Mar. 2025.
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