noncommittal

adjective

non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
1
: giving no clear indication of attitude or feeling
a noncommittal reply
He was noncommittal about how the money would be spent.
2
: having no clear or distinctive character
a noncommittal word which might be used of anything from babies to furnacesJ. C. Swaim
noncommittally adverb

Examples of noncommittal in a Sentence

She would only give noncommittal answers about her plans. The president remained noncommittal, saying only that all options would be considered.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Others, including Sweden and Norway, were also noncommittal. Max Burman, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2024 Canales was noncommittal on whether the starters would play in the exhibition finale next weekend at Buffalo. Joseph Person, The Athletic, 17 Aug. 2024 But investors turned on the stock after management was noncommittal about discussing 2025 figures and analysts lowered their estimates, causing the stock to suffer its worst weekly performance since 2020. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024 Tobias definitely wants children; Almut is noncommittal. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for noncommittal 

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of noncommittal was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near noncommittal

Cite this Entry

“Noncommittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncommittal. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

noncommittal

adjective
non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmit-ᵊl How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
: not telling or showing what a person thinks or has decided
a noncommittal answer
noncommittally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on noncommittal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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