reticent

adjective

ret·​i·​cent ˈre-tə-sənt How to pronounce reticent (audio)
1
: inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved
2
: restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance
the room has an aspect of reticent dignityA. N. Whitehead
3
reticently adverb

Did you know?

The History of Reticent Is Less Than 200 Years Old

We hate to break it to the language sticklers among us, but use of reticent as a synonym of reluctant—though it veers away from the word’s Latin origins in the verb reticēre, meaning “to keep silent”—is well established, and there is no reason to be reticent about employing it. In fact, reticent took on its “reluctant” sense a mere 50 years after first appearing in English in the early 19th century with the meaning “inclined to be silent or uncommunicative.” Though brows may furrow and lips may purse, the development of reticent’s newer meaning has some logic to it: English speakers first used reticent synonymously with reluctant when the context was speech, as in “he was reticent to talk about his past,” keeping the word close to its “silent” beginnings. Eventually, however, exclusive association with speech was abandoned, and one can now be reticent to do anything, even if it’s to admit that language is not immutable.

Choose the Right Synonym for reticent

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

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

Examples of reticent in a Sentence

… his friends and associates are conspicuously reticent to discuss him in public. 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
Recent Examples on the Web That’s despite the fact that its protagonist is mostly soft-spoken, reticent and reserved throughout — nothing like the warrior queens and Amazonian figures popular cinema loves to laud as female role models. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 Moreover, the lack of resolve on NATO membership sends all the wrong signals about the West’s own confidence in Ukraine’s ability to win, which makes policymakers more reticent to approve large military assistance packages. Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024 The European Space Agency will likely be reticent about funding missions to private space stations owned and operated by US companies. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024 Coleman also acknowledged that clinicians are often reticent about providing NRT or e-cigarettes in pregnancy. Sarah Scott, Parents, 31 Jan. 2024 To be sure, the manuscript’s acquisition is steeped in secrecy, and Voynich was famously reticent about when and where the tome was recovered. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 The team will be reticent to place a roadblock in his path. Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Still, the royal family is not the only British institution to come under scrutiny for being reticent with medical information. Mark Landler, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Solis was reticent, but reading the words in that first rehearsal turned him from a reluctant student of drama to a full-fledged radical for theater. Luis G. Rendon, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reticent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin reticent-, reticens, present participle of reticēre to keep silent, from re- + tacēre to be silent — more at tacit

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reticent was in 1825

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Dictionary Entries Near reticent

Cite this Entry

“Reticent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reticent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reticent

adjective
ret·​i·​cent ˈret-ə-sənt How to pronounce reticent (audio)
1
: tending not to talk or give out information
2
: quiet in tone or appearance
3
reticently adverb

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