reticence

American  

[ret-uh-suhns] / ˈrɛt ə səns /

Sometimes reticency

noun

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonreticence noun

Etymology

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 -y ³ ( def. ); reticent ( def. )

Example Sentences

Its home country, Germany, is shedding its postwar reticence on military spending to lead the charge.

From The Wall Street Journal

This reticence kept Shepard from being a great actor instead of a trusted one.

From The Wall Street Journal

The reticence reflects that some people are unsettled by the idea of eating bugs — but also the challenge that insect proteins aren’t yet filling a specific taste or nutritional void.

From Seattle Times

Is his reticence an indication of his desire to be in situations he can control?

From Los Angeles Times

They asked him why he didn’t want to go to school, his mother said, but he would never explain and they did not probe, reflecting a common Japanese cultural reticence to openly discuss sensitive issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hesitation
• shyness