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Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

Fill in the blank with a word nearest in meaning to 'reticent' that correctly completes the sentence below.

Answer:Despite his twin brother's lively personality, the diplomat remained surprisingly 【taciturn】 during the formal negotiations.

Answer

The word 'taciturn' (or 'reserved' / 'uncommunicative') correctly completes the sentence as it is nearest in meaning to 'reticent'.
The target word 'reticent' describes a person who is habitually reserved and disinclined to talk. In this context, 'taciturn' (or 'reserved' / 'uncommunicative') is nearest in meaning because it accurately describes someone who maintains silence and speaks very little.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word 'reticent' in the context of the sentence.
The word 'reticent' refers to someone who is disinclined to speak freely, reserved, or quiet.
Understanding the precise meaning of the given word is required to determine an appropriate synonym.
2
Evaluate the context clues provided in the sentence structure.
The phrase 'Despite his twin brother's lively personality' introduces a contrast, indicating that the diplomat speaks very little.
Contextual contrast reinforces the need for a term indicating speech restraint or silence.
3
Identify a valid synonym that fits the blank grammatically and semantically.
'Taciturn' (or 'reserved') directly matches 'reticent' as a word meaning habitually untalkative or restrained in speech.
'Taciturn' captures the identical nuance of minimal speech in formal settings.

Key Concept

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning
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Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

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