noncommitment

noun

non·​com·​mit·​ment ˌnän-kə-ˈmit-mənt How to pronounce noncommitment (audio)
plural noncommitments
1
: lack of commitment or a failure or refusal to commit to someone or something
… doesn't excuse random instances of noncommitment in a long-term relationship. Bridgette Williams
" … to not link aid with a human rights policy—sends a signal around the world of our noncommitment to fairness." Jesse Jackson
Scheduling conflicts seem to be a surprisingly common excuse for missing an event that was announced a year and a half ago. Others offered mushy noncommitments [=noncommittal responses]. Jeremy W. Peters
2
: a failure or refusal to commit something or someone
the government's noncommitment of troops in the region

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Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of noncommitment was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near noncommitment

noncommissioned officer

noncommitment

noncommittal

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Cite this Entry

“Noncommitment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncommitment. Accessed 20 Aug. 2022.

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