reticence

/ˈrɛtɪsəns/
noun
  1. The quality of being unwilling to speak or share one's thoughts and feelings; reserve or silence.
    • Despite his reticence, his eyes showed he had much to say.
    • The witness's reticence frustrated the lawyer during the trial.
    • Her natural reticence made it hard for her to speak up in class.
What does "reticence" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean