reticence
reticence
Definition
reti·cence (ret′ə səns)
noun
the quality or state, or an instance, of being reticent; reserve
Etymology: < Fr or L: Fr réticence < L reticentia
reticence
Synonyms
reticence
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- overcome: Is there anything that could happen to overcome to overcome this reticence?
- show: Turner showed no reticence in coming to the issue.
- have: Indeed, Anglicanism has a natural inbuilt reticence to ' stealing ' from lower levels the decision-making responsibilities that are properly theirs.
- find: Often among artists groups and networks I have found a reticence about raising issues relating directly to members' work.
- throw: Since then I have thrown all reticence to the wind.
Adjective modifier
- natural: Part of our difficulty lies in our natural reticence to discuss sexual matters.
- initial: As for my initial reticence, it's kind of a long story, but the reading really helped me sort out my feelings.
- certain: Which may explain a certain reticence on a number of points in the first edition of the book.
- such: I never believed such reticence would last for long.
- British: We look with envy at British reticence about religion.
- general: The desire for information and the general reticence to fulfill that need has made a Freedom of Information Act absolutely essential.
Preposition: on
- part: Alternatively, the null finding could reflect reticence on the part of the participants to talk about such matters.
reticence Quotes
It is not a Life at all. It is a Reticence, in three volumes.
Browse dictionary entries near reticence
- retiary
- retiarius
- rethink
- retentivity
- retentive
- retention
- retene
- retem
- rete
- retd
- reticent
- reticle
- reticular
- reticulate
- reticulation
- reticule
- reticulocyte
- reticuloendothelial
- reticulum
- retiform
