reticent
11 synonyms and 1 antonym for reticent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use reticent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
reticent about
remain reticent
Etymology
From Latin reticens, "keeping silent," from reticere ("to remain silent").
Full origin of reticent →Frequently asked questions
What does “reticent” mean?
The word “reticent” means unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely. In plain terms, quiet or guarded about sharing information — someone who holds back rather than speaking freely.
How do you pronounce “reticent”?
“Reticent” is pronounced REH-tih-suhnt (/ˈɹɛtɪsənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reticent” in a sentence?
Here is “reticent” used in a sentence: “He was reticent about his time in the army.”
What is another word for “reticent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reticent” include reserved, restrained, tight-lipped, unwilling, closemouthed and disinclined.
What part of speech is “reticent”?
“Reticent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “reticent” come from?
The word “reticent” comes from Latin. From Latin reticens, "keeping silent," from reticere ("to remain silent").
How many meanings does “reticent” have?
“Reticent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely.
