Synonyms of reticence
16 similar words · 14 opposite words
Another word for reticence is shyness. Other synonyms of reticence are diffidence. The opposite of reticence is talkativeness.
Synonyms and similar words for reticence
nounAvoidance of saying or reluctance to say too much; discretion, tight-lippedness; (countable) an...
- reserveRestraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior.
- taciturnity
nounA silent and reserved nature.
- introversion
- reservation
- bashfulnessThe quality or property of being bashful.
- demurenessThe state or quality of being demure.
- diffidenceThe state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
- reluctance
- quietness
- shynessThe quality of being shy; a fear of social interactions.
- sheepishnessThe quality or property of being sheepish; shyness; bashfulness.
- timidityThe state of being timid; shyness.
nounOften followed by to: hesitancy or reluctance (to do something).
- disinclinationThe state of being disinclined; want of propensity, desire, or affection; slight aversion or dislike.
- hesitation
nounSynonym of aposiopesis (“an abrupt breaking-off in speech”).
- aposiopesisAn abrupt breaking-off in speech, often indicated in print using an ellipsis (…) or an em dash (—).
verbTo deliberately not listen or pay attention to; to disregard, to ignore.
Opposite of reticence
nounA silent and reserved nature.
- ostentation
- chattinessThe state of being chatty.
- diarrhea of the mouthFoolish talkativeness, logorrhea.
- garrulity
- garrulousnessGarrulity.
- logorrheaExcessive talkativeness.
- logorrhoea
- loquaciousnessThe state or property of being loquacious.
- loquacityTalkativeness; the quality of being loquacious.
- multiloquenceThe state or condition of being multiloquent; talkativeness.
- talkativenessThe state of being talkative.
- talkativityThe quality of being talkative.
- verbal diarrheaLogorrhea.
- verbal diarrhoeaBritish standard spelling of verbal diarrhea.
Meaning of reticence
- noun Avoidance of saying or reluctance to say too much; discretion, tight-lippedness; (countable) an instance of acting in this manner.
- noun A silent and reserved nature.
- noun Followed by of: discretion or restraint in the use of something.
reticence in other languages
Questions about synonyms of reticence
- What is another word for reticence?
- Reticence has 16 synonyms on Word.ws, such as shyness and diffidence.
- What is the opposite of reticence?
- The opposite of reticence is talkativeness.
- What does reticence mean?
- Reticence means avoidance of saying or reluctance to say too much; discretion, tight-lippedness; (countable) an instance of acting in this manner.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: reticence (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of reticence.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/reticence. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.