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Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

The retired professor was known for his taciturn demeanor during faculty board meetings, rarely speaking unless explicitly prompted for his opinion. Which word is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

  1. reticentAnswer
  2. B
    garrulous
  3. C
    implicit
  4. D
    haughty

Answer

reticent
In the given context, 'taciturn' describes a person who is habitually quiet and uncommunicative. The word 'reticent' shares this exact meaning, referring to someone who is reserved or disinclined to speak.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contextual clues provided in the sentence.
The clause 'rarely speaking unless explicitly prompted' indicates that the professor possesses a quiet, reserved disposition.
Contextual clues clarify the specific trait being described by the target word.
2
Compare the target word 'taciturn' with the available options.
'Taciturn' describes a person who is habitually silent or uncommunicative. Among the choices, 'reticent' directly shares this meaning.
'Reticent' denotes being restrained or reserved in expression.

Key Concept

Determining contextual synonyms for formal personality and behavioral descriptors
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Topics

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

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