Synonym Chooser

How is the word taciturn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of taciturn are reserved, reticent, secretive, and silent. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

When would reserved be a good substitute for taciturn?

The synonyms reserved and taciturn are sometimes interchangeable, but reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When could reticent be used to replace taciturn?

The words reticent and taciturn can be used in similar contexts, but reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

Where would secretive be a reasonable alternative to taciturn?

Although the words secretive and taciturn have much in common, secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When is it sensible to use silent instead of taciturn?

The words silent and taciturn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

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 taciturn The first Quiet Place opened with the death of a toddler — the familial loss that hangs over its family of wearied, mandatorily taciturn survivors. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 July 2024 Valeska’s taciturn son Karl (Tom Wlaschiha) regards him with similar suspicion, even as his mother warms to the outsider. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025 Watching an octogenarian president heavily implied to be a Democrat struggle to form sentences strikes a nerve, but for the most part, De Niro’s take is too taciturn and quietly dignified to inspire much emotion. Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025 After years working abroad in Spain, a taciturn young man returns to his village in rural Bulgaria to clean out his late father’s flat. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taciturn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taciturn
Adjective
  • While the Kardashians have remained publicly silent in response to his latest outburst, Ye’s ongoing battle with his former in-laws continues to play out in the public eye.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Musk was silent on his X platform in the wake of Crawford’s victory, reposting a message about Vietnam and tariffs but nothing on the Supreme Court contest.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But Vientos was surprised to find out that someone who plays with so much flair on the field was so reserved.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Cartagena, Spain, won third prize for its assistance to people with disabilities bathing at popular beaches, and for reserved accessible seats at public events.
    Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This production, which was more on the restrained side, was directed by Jose Maria Condemi.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The Honduran government has asked the U.S. to release the restrained deportees once the planes enter Honduran airspace, Paz said.
    Ronny Rojas, NBC News, 13 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Taciturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taciturn. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on taciturn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!