uncommunicative

adjective

ˌən-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv How to pronounce uncommunicative (audio)
Definition of uncommunicativenext
1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators

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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

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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

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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 Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026 Her high-school senior daughter Josie (Chloe East) is terse and uncommunicative with her, angry about how much space her mother’s drama has taken up in everyone else’s life. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026 Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025 Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
  1. silent
  2. secretive
  3. reserved
  4. speechless
  5. quiet
  6. dumb
  7. mute
  8. reticent
Adjective
  • William has largely remained silent about the brothers' estrangement and has not publicly expressed a desire to repair their relationship.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • The beaches will always have that kinetic draw, sure, as do the beautiful (and still often secretive) mountain villages, glittering coves, and a very leisurely lunch scene.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Infantino will on Thursday chair the first session of the 37-member FIFA Council since his secretive and divisive World Cup sell-off plan was revealed — and dropped within days — 11 weeks ago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of secretive
Adjective
  • Doncic’s dueling personalities — the charismatic showman on the court and the reserved personality off it — overlap in his generosity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Premier and reserved parking passes are both $65 on Ticketmaster.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • By the end, the audience is left almost speechless — and still thinking about this singular, deeply original performance long after Lyons has left the stage.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of speechless
Adjective
  • After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • And that's exactly where Glenn was for the second time this season — guilty of the dumbest moment of the week.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a dumb ending, involving the Bewitched theme and Dennis Rodman discussing the perils of adult illiteracy (sure), but everything before that is pretty fun, including the Bumblebee Man turning into a bumblebee and Lisa into Albert Einstein.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • Below the video panel are buttons to end the live view, mute and unmute the speaker, and enable two-way talk.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
  • While an ordinary walk might leave her mind racing toward work, looking for a particular color gave it something else to do, effectively putting all that other mental chatter on mute.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of mute
Adjective
  • Seyfried said — though Seyfried was more reticent in a recent interview.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The offense has been a little more reticent to play the kids by choice.
    — Sam McDowell October 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of reticent

Browse Nearby Words

uncommunicable
uncommunicative
uncompassionate
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Cite this Entry

“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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