RETICENT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'reticent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

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. // was reticent about his plans

Q: In what contexts can 'reserved' take the place of 'reticent'?

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. // greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

Q: When would 'secretive' be a good substitute for 'reticent'?

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 secretive research and development division

Q: When might 'silent' be a better fit than 'reticent'?

The meanings of silent and reticent largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed. // the strong, silent type

Q: Where would 'taciturn' be a reasonable alternative to 'reticent'?

Although the words taciturn and reticent have much in common, taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability. // taciturn villagers

reticent

adjective

ˈre-tə-sənt

Definition of reticent next

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reticent distinct from other similar adjectives?

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.

was reticent about his plans

In what contexts can reserved take the place of reticent?

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.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When would secretive be a good substitute for reticent?

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 secretive research and development division

When might silent be a better fit than reticent?

The meanings of silent and reticent largely overlap; however, silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would taciturn be a reasonable alternative to reticent?

Although the words taciturn and reticent have much in common, taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of reticent After June has taken off with one of her newsboys, Rose, grasping at any scrap of opportunity, forces Louise, who has so far been awkward and reticent, into stripping. —

Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024 Further, there was an equalizing effect between the loquacious me and the normally reticent Icelanders, resulting in us finding a sort of middle ground where meaningful, if measured, conversation became possible. —

Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2024 Phu grew up in Santa Ana and visited Little Saigon every weekend with her family, but her parents were often reticent to speak about their experiences during the Vietnam War. —

Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 But Kennedy’s anti-pharma stance could be tempered by congressional Republicans, who have been historically reticent about more regulation, and Trump’s other appointees. —

Emily Mullin, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reticent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reticent

Adjective

The skies in Gaza went silent for the first time in months with no Israeli airstrikes.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
In the Broadway musical Sunset Boulevard silent screen star Norma Desmond returns to the Paramount lot after twenty years living under the radar in her crumbling mansion.

— Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025