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Discretion vs Reticence - What's the difference?

discretion | reticence |

As nouns the difference between discretion and reticence

is that discretion is the quality of being discreet or circumspect while reticence is tight-lippedness, discretion, avoidance of saying too much.

discretion

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The quality of being discreet or circumspect.
    • Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.
  • The ability to make wise choices or decisions.
  • The freedom to make one's own judgements.
    • I leave that to your discretion .

    Antonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * discretionary *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    reticence

    English

    Noun

  • tight-lippedness, discretion, avoidance of saying too much
  • a silent and reserved nature

    • Quotations

    * 1890 , Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray : *:Basil's absurd fits of jealousy, his wild devotion, his extravagant panegyrics, his curious reticences , — he understood them all now, and he felt sorry. * 1897 , Bram Stoker, Dracula : *: You must not be angry with him, Art, because his very reticence means that all his brains are working for her good.(attention)

    Synonyms

    * reserve, secrecy, taciturnity * bashfulness, demureness, diffidence, quietness, reservation, shyness, timidity

    Antonyms

    * openness, talkativeness * loquaciousness, ostentation

    Related terms

    * reticent, reticently