Word Confusion: Reluctant versus Reticent

Posted May 23, 2023 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

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It’s a subtle word confusion reluctant vs reticent as both are about an unwillingness. The first, reluctant, is unwilling to do while the second, reticent, is unwilling to say.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.
“Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.
“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
“Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”
– Martin Niemöller

This quote from Niemöller has been adapted many times to suit the situation, the politics, what have you. It perfectly reflects how reluctant many people feel about speaking out on a controversial matter.

Reluctant is more negative in its being unwilling to do something.

Reticent is, well, less negative, in that one is unwilling to speak or reveal your thoughts. Gads, don’t you wish Trump were more reticent?

I was reluctant to spend so much on a football game.

I was reticent to spend so much on a football game.

No, you were reticent when you didn’t protest the ticket price.

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Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

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Reluctant	Reticent
Reluctant Scottie, Krewe of Barkus, Mardi Gras parade, New Orleans, by Michael Homan is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.	Shy Gambian Girl is under the CC0 license, via Hippo px. — Her dress may not be reticent, but her manner is.
Part of Grammar:
Adjective	Adjective
Unwilling and hesitant Disinclined Struggling in opposition [Archaic] Offering resistance or opposition	Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily Unwilling to speak Reserved Taciturn Uncommunicative Restrained, as in style or appearance
Examples:
She seemed reluctant to discuss the matter. He was not a reluctant candidate. The US should be reluctant to place computer chip production in foreign hands. She’s reluctant to report him to the police.	She was extremely reticent about her personal affairs. They were reticent about their plans. He was reticent to answer our questions. She is so reticent about her achievements. “The laughter was steady, if reticent.” – Bernard Lown
Derivatives:
Adjective: half-reluctant, unreluctant Adverb: reluctantly Noun: reluctance	Adverb: reticently Noun: reticence, reticency
History of the Word:
Early 17th century, in the sense offering opposition, is from the Latin reluctant- meaning struggling against, from the verb reluctari, from re- (expressing intensive force) + luctari (to struggle).	Mid-19th century from the Latin reticent- meaning remaining silent, from the verb reticere, which is from re- (expressing intensive force) + tacere (be silent).

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

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