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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reticent
Lue’s two stars are reticent, but James Harden and Kawhi Leonard spoke volumes with their play in forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The ‘big three’ countries of India, Australia and England have been reticent given that slipping into the lower bracket would scupper their money-making plans.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The ‘big three’ countries of India, Australia and England have been reticent given that slipping into the lower bracket would scupper their money-making plans.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
While the Trump administration was silent on the details of the document, a New York Times report described it as merely a list of bullet points, not a full draft, citing four officials familiar with the negotiations.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
-
Proenza Schouler leans toward a silent gesture with its mint green terry dress.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sprinkle tops evenly with reserved sugar-flour mixture (about 1 1/2 teaspoons each).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
-
My ticket was for travel with up to six others in a reserved couchette cabin.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere in the country, too, state agencies and providers that rely on SAMHSA funding and technical support are feeling isolated, lost and reluctant to reach out to the federal staff left at the agency, says Dr. Eric Rafla-Yuan, a psychiatrist in San Diego, Calif.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
6 June 2025
-
Jobless claims — a proxy for layoffs — still remain low by historical standards, suggesting that employers are reluctant to cut staff despite uncertainty over Trump’s policies.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Image Both companies are secretive about their processes, and have declined most requests to visit their operations.—
Mike Belleme,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
The company expects ongoing cautious consumer behavior amid persistent inflation, leading to restrained discretionary spending, especially on high-ticket products.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Wirtz, especially, can look awkward in Julian Nagelsmann’s team, and is used in a comparatively restrained way.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2025
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In the meantime, businesses are left in the murky waters — hesitant to make more or ship more, unsure where to build factories or how high to raise prices.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The drama division had been relatively quiet for a period but suddenly found its stride in the past year with a string of buzzy commissions that will now mostly air under new leadership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
-
As romantic distractions fall away, the quiet also makes way for freedom.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
2 June 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
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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