What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demureness
Example
She greeted the guests with a demure smile. [demureness: noun]
Example
He was known for his demureness in public, rarely speaking out of turn. [demureness: noun]
reticence
Example
Her reticence made it difficult to know what she was thinking. [reticence: noun]
Example
He was known for his reticence in interviews, often giving short and vague answers. [reticence: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reticence is more commonly used than demureness in everyday language. Reticence is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while demureness is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior or appearance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demureness and reticence?
Both demureness and reticence are associated with a formal tone, but reticence is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.