reticence

[US]/'retɪs(ə)ns/
[UK]/'rɛtəsns/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. reserve in speech or behavior

Phrases & Collocations

maintain reticence

uncharacteristic reticence

overcome reticence

deep reticence

sense of reticence

Example Sentences

His reticence is more revealing than his speech.

He breaks out of his normal reticence and tells me the whole story.

Some reckon its failure to unearth masses of new information is down to a mix of mendacious reticence on the part of key witnesses and the pusillanimity of their inquisitors.

Their reticence and tenseness seemed to melt away as they petted the stray, and our sessions were relaxed and open.

He maintained a reticence about his personal life.

Her reticence made it difficult to understand her true feelings.

The politician's reticence on the issue raised suspicions.

She spoke with reticence, carefully choosing her words.

His reticence in meetings often led to misunderstandings.

The company's reticence to disclose financial information worried investors.

Despite her reticence, she eventually opened up about her past.

His reticence to share his ideas hindered the team's progress.

The author's reticence to give interviews left fans curious about her inspiration.

The reticence of the witness in court raised doubts about the validity of the testimony.

Real-world Examples

But Mrs. Tarleton had no such reticences.

Source: Gone with the Wind

Leave us some dignity, some reticence to remember out of our marriage.

Source: Gone with the Wind

This was the answer to Ashley's reticence, to his strange conduct.

Source: Gone with the Wind

There was a little more reticence now than formerly in Thomasin's manner towards her cousin.

Source: Returning Home

Her normal manner among the heathfolk had that reticence which results from the consciousness of superior communicative power.

Source: Returning Home

Although she'd proven herself with her past assignments, Bly still faced reticence from her editors.

Source: Women Who Changed the World

His decent reticence is branded as hypocrisy, his circumlocutions are roundly called lies, and his silence is vilified as treachery.

Source: The Moon and Sixpence (Condensed Version)

How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words!

Source: Tao Te Ching

Soon he detected in her a wonderful reticence.

Source: The Room with a View (Part 1)

And a reticence to talk about mental health in front of the boss may be unnecessary. Executives are people, too.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

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