Reticence is a noun for a quietnot loud; producing little sound or attention, restrainedcontrolled and limited, not showing strong emotion or action way of speaking or behaving. It often suggests that someone does not say more than they have to, or is unwillingnot wanting to do something; reluctant to share thoughts openly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /REH-tih-suhns/
Easy pronunciation: REH-tih-suhns (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: REH-.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Reticence Meaning
a habit of saying very little and not sharing much
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
Example: Her reticence made it hard to tell what she really thought about the proposal.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- reserve — A close substitute when the meaning is being quiet or restrained in speech or manner.
- taciturnity — A valid synonym, but more formal and less common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Reticence Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- reserve
- taciturnity
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using reticence to mean simple shyness in every case. It can suggest restraint or unwillingness to speak, not just nervousness.
- Confusing reticence with reluctance. Reticence is about being quiet or reserved; reluctance is about being unwilling to do something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does reticence mean?
Reticence means a tendency to say little and to avoid sharing more than necessary.
What are synonyms for reticence?
Good synonyms include reserve and taciturnity, depending on the context.
Is reticence positive or negative?
It can be either. Sometimes it suggests calm self-control; other times it suggests unwillingness to speak openly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
