the state of being reticent, or reserved, especially with regard to speaking freely; restraint: His natural reticence seemed to disappear under the influence of alcohol.
Vincent Hutchings, a political science professor at the University of Michigan who specializes in voting and public opinion, said such reticence is stronger in neighborhoods that have historically been segregated.
In Detroit, chronic USPS delays undermine voters’ confidence in voting by mail|Lisa Rein, Kayla Ruble|October 5, 2020|Washington Post
Taylor said he is encouraging former officials such as Mattis and Kelly to see that now is the time to break their self-imposed reticence.
Former Pence aide says she will vote for Biden because of Trump’s ‘flat out disregard for human life’ during pandemic|Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
He says that he’s experienced “a great deal of reticence and non-movement” when it comes to promoting the program to the people who meet its requirements.
Sacramento Report: Bipartisan Support for a Special Session|Sara Libby|September 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
But there's a reticence to discuss or consider such acts of violence committed by women as legitimate.
Should Twitter Suspend LGBT Engineer Accused Of Raping Her Wife?|Emily Shire|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her reticence is not uncommon among online supporters of Officer Wilson.
Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson Has a Serious Online Fan Club|Gideon Resnick|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our reticence to state the obvious but unproven may be understandable, and even prudent, but it is not helpful.
Our Ruling Ideology Is Denial|Eugene Linden|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This reticence—this reserve—suits Beck's voice and personality much better than the confessional self-consciousness of Sea Change.
The Last Great Singer-Songwriter Album|Andrew Romano|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was natural that reticence would appear in their literature.
Boys Don’t Cry: In Praise of Sentiment|Andrew Sean Greer|June 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Her reticence and Uncle Piero's fatherly benevolence gave Franco time to place himself beyond the possibility of recall.
The Patriot|Antonio Fogazzaro
Above all, she liked the artist's eyes—those grey, steady eyes with their look of reticence so characteristic of the man himself.
The Lamp of Fate|Margaret Pedler
Lady Hamilton may have had the self-control of an actress, but clearly not the reticence of a well-bred woman.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. II. (of 2)|A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
He has much of my father—your grandfather's reticence and dignity.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet
You wonder, and perhaps are inclined to condemn our—well, our reticence about this news.