reticence

/'retisəns/

Thân thiện

She showed her reticence by giving only brief, polite answers.

Definition

Noun: 1. The quality or state of being reserved, restrained, or uncommunicative in speech; reluctance to speak freely or reveal one's thoughts and feelings. It is the trait of saying no more than is strictly necessary. 2. A reserved or restrained manner in expression or style.

Usage

• Reticence is an uncountable noun describing a personal characteristic or a temporary state.
• It is often used to describe a deliberate or natural hesitation to speak, which can be due to shyness, caution, discretion, or a desire for privacy.
• It can be modified by adjectives like , , , , or .
• Common prepositions used with it are about (reticence about a topic) and in (reticence in speaking).

Examples

• Her reticence in interviews made her a mysterious figure to the public.
• Despite his usual reticence, he spoke passionately about the project.
• There is a certain reticence among the staff about discussing the manager's decision.
• The diplomat's reticence was interpreted as a sign of disapproval.

Advanced Usage

• Break/Break through one's reticence: To overcome one's natural reluctance to speak.
  • After some encouragement, she broke through her reticence and shared her story.
• A wall/bubble of reticence: A metaphorical barrier created by being uncommunicative.
  • He maintained a wall of reticence that was difficult to penetrate.

Variants and Related Words

• Reticent (adjective): Inclined to be silent or reserved in speech.
  • He was reticent about his personal life.
• Reticently (adverb): In a reticent manner.
  • She answered reticently.

Synonyms

• Reserve: Similar to reticence but can also imply formality in manner.
• Taciturnity: A more formal term for habitual silence or uncommunicativeness.
• Uncommunicativeness: The state of not conveying information or feelings.
• Reluctance: Hesitancy, often used with an infinitive (reluctance ).

Antonyms

• Loquacity: The quality of being very talkative.
• Garrulousness: Excessive talkativeness, especially about trivial matters.
• Frankness: The quality of being open and honest in expression.
• Candor: The quality of being open and truthful.

Idioms and Phrases

• To overcome one's reticence: To successfully become more open and willing to speak.
  • With a glass of wine, he finally overcame his reticence.
• A veil of reticence: A manner that obscures or hides one's true thoughts.
  • She hid her opinions behind a veil of reticence.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

Từ đồng nghĩa

• reserve
• taciturnity