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

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Recent Examples of reticence Resolving Differences Challenging reticence has propelled the firm in a modern era. —

Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026 But uptake has been slow, reflecting a broader industry-wide reticence to shell out. —

Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026 Merz insists Germany must rebuild military capacity – a departure from decades of both German domestic and EU-wide reticence toward such a move. —

Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026 But after months of relative reticence to take big swings or commit to a tank job, the Bulls made a sharp heel turn this week by offloading all but one of their expiring contracts. —

Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reticence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticence

reluctance

Noun

There’s a reason for their reluctance and caution.

— David McHugh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Alyoshka’s mother clings to the hope that her son represents, and finds his reluctance to play his role impossible to understand.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026