reticent
/'retisənt/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Reluctant to speak or reveal one's thoughts or feelings: Characterized by restraint in communication, often due to reserve, shyness, or a desire for privacy.
- Restrained in expression or presentation: Cool, formal, or understated in manner, avoiding excess or emotional display.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- She was reticent about her personal life, rarely sharing details with colleagues.
- His reticent nature made him seem aloof, but he was actually very kind.
- The report was reticent on the causes of the failure, offering few explanations.
Advanced Usage
- "To be reticent about/on something": To be unwilling or hesitant to talk about a specific subject.
- The government has been reticent about releasing the full findings of the inquiry.
- "Reticent to do something": Hesitant or disinclined to take a particular action, especially speaking. (Note: Some traditionalists prefer "reticent about" for speech and "reluctant to" for actions, but "reticent to" is commonly used).
- He was reticent to voice his disagreement during the meeting.
Variants and Related Words
- Reticence (noun): The quality or state of being reticent; reserve in speech.
- Her reticence was misinterpreted as a lack of interest.
- Reticently (adverb): In a reticent manner.
- He answered reticently, offering only the bare minimum of information.
Synonyms
- Taciturn: Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
- Laconic: Using very few words.
- Reserved: Slow to reveal emotions or opinions.
- Uncommunicative: Unwilling to talk or give information.
Antonyms
- Loquacious: Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
- Garrulous: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
- Voluble: Speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently.
- Effusive: Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained, heartfelt manner.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Tight-lipped: Unwilling to speak; secretive. (This is a close conceptual synonym, often used in similar contexts).
- Officials remained tight-lipped about the ongoing negotiations.
Adjective
-
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
cool and formal in manner
-
temperamentally disinclined to talk
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