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
Behind them, the forest rose up, dense and inscrutable, reticent to divulge its life.
—
Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Sheinbaum, who took office Oct. 1, is similarly likely to be reticent in cooperating with Trump.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The exhibition industry was hobbled by the COVID pandemic, which shuttered cinemas for months and left certain consumers more reticent to return to their local multiplexes even as restrictions eased.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024
The director himself was consistently reticent about sorting the meaning of his work for his viewers.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Sheinbaum, who took office Oct. 1, is similarly likely to be reticent in cooperating with Trump.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The exhibition industry was hobbled by the COVID pandemic, which shuttered cinemas for months and left certain consumers more reticent to return to their local multiplexes even as restrictions eased.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024
The director himself was consistently reticent about sorting the meaning of his work for his viewers.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
-
The film investigates the silent epidemic of CRSV in Ukraine, a subject long shrouded in stigma.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
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Mello was succeeded by Pete Garcia, who ran FIU athletics from 2006 to 2021, and, during that time, the Hall of Fame remained silent.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Universities and businesses can collaborate with property management companies to offer housing stipends or reserved spots for international students.—
Botir Nasridinov,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But there is still hope among nine-game advocates that television money will come through and move the reluctant to agree to expand.—
The Athletic College Football,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
-
That reluctant to juice demand is exemplified by a wide gap in fiscal policies, namely the willingness to spend more than what comes in from tax revenue.—
BYJason Ma,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Zhang films the turbulent yet nuanced action in dry, restrained tableaux of an elusive lyricism, a poetry that, to match Beibei’s relentless pursuits, remains just out of reach.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2025
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Some folks might overstate the likely influence of those who call for a more restrained U.S. approach to the world within a second Trump administration, the scholars wrote in the opinion piece.—
Cory Smith,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Republicans remain hesitant to support any sort of tax increases, and the General Assembly is focused on Hurricane Helene disaster recovery and crafting a budget.—
Alexandria Sands,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
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For those still feeling hesitant, beginning a hobby in the privacy of your home can help ease discomfort.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Their hushed quiet was unmatched, their attention to detail legendary.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
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
-
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 3 Mar. 2025.
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