reticence
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.
Origin of reticence
1- Sometimes ret·i·cen·cy .
Other words from reticence
- non·ret·i·cence, noun
Words Nearby reticence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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.
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 PostVincent 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 PostTaylor 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 PostHe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHer 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 | THE DAILY BEASTOur reticence to state the obvious but unproven may be understandable, and even prudent, but it is not helpful.
This reticence—this reserve—suits Beck's voice and personality much better than the confessional self-consciousness of Sea Change.
It was natural that reticence would appear in their literature.
And now to her candid and naturally confiding nature this reticence gave her almost a guilty feeling.
Robin Redbreast | Mary Louisa MolesworthIf we consult human nature, the only causes to which we can assign this reticence are, conscientious cowardice and dishonesty.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas InmanIs the reticence real or is this some wonderful trick of his, this making his guest feel superior?
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie ChaplinYou must not be angry with him, Art, because his very reticence means that all his brains are working for her good.
Dracula | Bram StokerSuch mysterious reticence was in direct opposition to ordinary governmental procedure in similar cases.
History of Prince Edward Island | Duncan Campbell
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