reticence

[ ret-uh-suhns ]

/ ˈrɛt ə səns /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for reticence on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Sometimes ret·i·cen·cy .

Origin of reticence

First recorded in 1600–10; from French réticence, from Latin reticentia, equivalent to reticent-, stem of reticēns (present participle of reticēre “to be silent”) + -ia -y³; see reticent

OTHER WORDS FROM reticence

non·ret·i·cence, noun

Words nearby reticence

rethink, Rethondes, Réti, retiarius, retiary, reticence, reticent, reticle, reticular, reticular formation, reticulate

How to use reticence in a sentence

Loeb also writes about how science can be overly conservative at times—aiming his complaints in particular on the reticence to elevate the question of alien life to a more prominent place in our hypotheses about what we see in the universe around us.
The Alien-Haunted World - Facts So Romantic|Caleb Scharf|February 15, 2021|Nautilus
Welch, 36, understands the reticence but thinks it’s important to not ignore the elephant and the donkey in the room.
As the election draws near, civics and government teachers walk a fine line|Joe Heim|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
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
And now to her candid and naturally confiding nature this reticence gave her almost a guilty feeling.
Robin Redbreast|Mary Louisa Molesworth
If we consult human nature, the only causes to which we can assign this reticence are, conscientious cowardice and dishonesty.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
Is the reticence real or is this some wonderful trick of his, this making his guest feel superior?
My Wonderful Visit|Charlie Chaplin
You must not be angry with him, Art, because his very reticence means that all his brains are working for her good.
Dracula|Bram Stoker
Such mysterious reticence was in direct opposition to ordinary governmental procedure in similar cases.
History of Prince Edward Island|Duncan Campbell