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
Legend in the making: Kelsie Domer of Dublin On the other end of the competitor spectrum is Kelsie Domer, a breakaway roper who is reticent to make brash predictions, but whose résumé speaks for itself.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
And in the absence of a crisis, Washington’s partners will likely be reticent to join in.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
Parvati was very appropriately reticent to work with me, which is understandable.
—EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Over the past week, the answer from managers, recruitment staff, sporting and Academy directors has been mixed — critical, reticent and quietly hopeful.
—Michael Walker, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
And in the absence of a crisis, Washington’s partners will likely be reticent to join in.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025
Parvati was very appropriately reticent to work with me, which is understandable.
—EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Over the past week, the answer from managers, recruitment staff, sporting and Academy directors has been mixed — critical, reticent and quietly hopeful.
—Michael Walker, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reticent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent
Adjective
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One of the radio outages appears to have taken place on November 6, when controllers overseeing Newark went silent for more than two minutes, according to air traffic audio from the website LiveATC.net and first published in November by the YouTube channel VASAviation.—
Casey Tolan,
CNN Money,
7 May 2025
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In addition, the fiesta will feature live music and many local artists in the event’s silent and live auctions.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Still, the same words are used to describe him: quiet, reserved, introverted.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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The ultra-private first lady's public wardrobe ranges from more muted looks, that match her reserved personality, to punchy statement pieces that better fit her husband's Truth Social feed.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Foreign governments are increasingly reluctant to crack down on U.S. tech firms—not just because of their digital leverage and economic clout but also because doing so could provoke official backlash from Washington.—
Ian Bremmer,
Foreign Affairs,
13 May 2025
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Automakers themselves are reluctant to call attention to any price increases, out of fears of chasing away customers and of angering the Trump administration.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Over the course of the conclave — the secretive process of choosing a new pope — members of the College of Cardinals gathered in the Vatican for several rounds of voting.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
8 May 2025
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Key Background Prevost was elected pope Thursday after the secretive conclave process began a day earlier, in which cardinals elect the new pope through rounds of secret ballots.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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More generally, the collective ongoing efforts by the Trump administration could equate to fewer opportunities for job seekers as employers become more hesitant to hire due to a lack of overall stability, veteran observers told Newsweek.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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Still, a lack of progress signs has left many investors hesitant to trust the mid-April rebound.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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The saw-whets, perhaps intimidated by the larger owl, had gone quiet.—
Brad Dokken,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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Capturing the quiet insanity of living in a dictatorship, writer/director Bogdan Mureșanu saturates his story in the details of rage and fear.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reticent. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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