1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in secretive
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
intelligence agencies must be uncommunicative about their operations if they are to be at all effective
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
resigned to the fact that her husband was always going to be an uncommunicative partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of uncommunicative
Her older roommate, Prabha, whose uncommunicative husband now works in Germany, is lonely.
—
Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
Me about uncommunicative guys who lack intent and she about self-sabotaging the nicest guy she’s ever dated.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 2 Sep. 2024
But the pathologically uncommunicative Wayne never seems all that happy about anything.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The most original piece of work in this volume is Matthew Evangelista's fascinating analysis of the transnational organizations -- such as Pugwash and the Palme Commission -- that kept dialogue alive during the more uncommunicative days of the Cold War.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2010
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
Me about uncommunicative guys who lack intent and she about self-sabotaging the nicest guy she’s ever dated.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 2 Sep. 2024
But the pathologically uncommunicative Wayne never seems all that happy about anything.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The most original piece of work in this volume is Matthew Evangelista's fascinating analysis of the transnational organizations -- such as Pugwash and the Palme Commission -- that kept dialogue alive during the more uncommunicative days of the Cold War.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2010
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
-
Mello was succeeded by Pete Garcia, who ran FIU athletics from 2006 to 2021, and, during that time, the Hall of Fame remained silent.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The film investigates the silent epidemic of CRSV in Ukraine, a subject long shrouded in stigma.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Though her identity is not at first known to Benedict, the woman turns out to be Sophie Baek, a secretive maid with big dreams.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
14 Feb. 2025
-
North Korea has sent munitions, missiles and fighters to Russia, raising speculation that the Kremlin has agreed to share weapons technology with the secretive nation as well as economic aid.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Universities and businesses can collaborate with property management companies to offer housing stipends or reserved spots for international students.—
Botir Nasridinov,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
-
Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Amidst a sea of partygoers in wild outfits galore, Zoë Kravitz reminded us that sometimes breaking the rules can be a quiet act.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Oh, and there’s no prize, except the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
Biggest obstacles: Even though finding another Garrett in the draft is unlikely, the 49ers are probably reticent to give up that much draft capital.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Ng’s father is reticent about his immigration story.—
Jane Hu,
The New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Saudi Arabia hopes to leverage its close ties with President Donald Trump to provide Iran with a diplomatic bridge to the White House.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Gavin Newsom California's governor is close behind, or tied, with Buttigieg in the recent polling.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share