reticent
adjective
A. N. Whitehead
Did you know?
The History of Reticent Is Less Than 200 Years Old
Reticent in the sense of "inclined to be silent or uncommunicative" first appeared in English in the early 19th century. About 50 years later, reticent took on the additional sense of "reluctant" which, while it is now well established, bothers some people, particularly because it has veered away from the word's Latin origins—reticent is from the verb reticēre, meaning "to keep silent." But there is some sense in the way the newer meaning developed. We first tended to use the "reluctant" sense of reticent when the context was speech (as in "reticent to talk about her past"), thus keeping the word close to its "silent" sense. Eventually, however, exclusive association with speech was abandoned. Now one can be reticent to do anything.
Synonyms
- close
- closemouthed
- dark
- secretive
- tight-mouthed
- uncommunicative
Example Sentences
Martin Flanagan, Manchester Guardian Weekly, 29 Dec. 1991 … two or three rather reticent abstract paintings. Jay Jacobs, Gourmet, January 1979 An extremely reticent man, Morris does not like to talk about his experience in personal terms. Helen Dudar, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct. 1977 the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Clippard was there for the brash Harper, debuting at 19, the reticent Rendon, was traded before Scherzer stomped on the scene and enjoyed a few weeks of Soto. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Historically during recessions, the U.S. government has been very slow and reticent to come. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, is exploring financing options that include grants and loans, though details are scarce and officials are reticent to put forward estimates while the war is raging. Jorge Valero, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 Following the Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in which Josh Hader picked up his 100th career save, manager Craig Counsell was not reticent in his praise of his closer. Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2022 The Colts will still line up in a 4-3 base defense, still play a lot of zone coverage, still be reticent to blitz heavily. The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 Cipollone had been reticent to testify to the committee, citing presidential privilege, but he has been regularly mentioned in the hearings and is key to a number of episodes being plumbed by the committee. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 When some friends invited her to the 2015 iteration of the festival, Taylor was reticent. Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 May 2022 See More Word History
Latin reticent-, reticens, present participle of reticēre to keep silent, from re- + tacēre to be silent — more at tacit
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
reticent
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- silent
- secretive
- uncommunicative
- quiet
- close
- prudent
- closemouthed
- taciturn
- reserved
- discreet
- dark
- tight-lipped
- tight-mouthed
- surreptitious
- furtive
- clandestine
- sneaky
- stealthy
- sneak
- covert
- undercover
- secret
- underhanded
- underhand
- hugger-mugger
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- open
- frank
- candid
- communicative
- outspoken
- honest
- blunt
- tactless
- up-front
- out-front
Synonyms & Similar Words
- reserved
- silent
- restrained
- taciturn
- dumb
- tight-lipped
- uncommunicative
- laconic
- closemouthed
- aloof
- introverted
- inhibited
- bashful
- diffident
- sedate
- coy
- sheepish
- staid
- indrawn
- demure
- self-effacing
- modest
- retiring
- backward
- sober
- self-contained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- talkative
- outspoken
- garrulous
- loquacious
- vocal
- communicative
- chatty
- mouthy
- talky
- conversational
- unreserved
- gabby
- gossipy
- blabby
- verbose
- free-spoken
- motormouthed
- diffuse
- prolix
- extroverted
- outgoing
- wordy
- sociable
- gregarious
- extraverted
- rambling
- windy
- talebearing
- long-winded
Synonyms & Similar Words
- reluctant
- hesitant
- loath
- loathe
- disinclined
- unsure
- skeptical
- cagey
- unwilling
- dubious
- cagy
- uncertain
- timid
- indisposed
- averse
- ambivalent
- unenthusiastic
- conflicted
- doubtful
- loth
- questioning
- uneager
- shy
- irresolute
- halting
- vacillating
- faltering
- indecisive
- wobbly
- undecided
- infirm
- fainthearted
- wabbly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inclined
- eager
- enthusiastic
- keen
- willing
- happy
- ready
- glad
- disposed
- decided
- certain
- sure
- resolute
- determined
- unquestioning
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of reticent are reserved, secretive, silent, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.
The words reserved and reticent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.
The words secretive and reticent can be used in similar contexts, but secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.
The meanings of silent and reticent largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.
Although the words taciturn and reticent have much in common, taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.