noncommittal
adjective
non·com·mit·tal
ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl 
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 furnaces—
J. C. Swaim
J. C. Swaim
Synonyms
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
The problem is that not one of those studies is sponsored by Novo, which has been noncommittal about running the costly, large-scale trials that would be required to win FDA approval in addiction.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 30 Nov. 2023
But others who voted for Jordan on the first ballot are noncommittal about supporting him in future votes.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2023
The two are noncommittal about how many songs from that project made their way onto either version of Voir Dire.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023
Campbell, the cellist in the JACK Quartet and one of the most remarkable proponents of new music, was restrained and seemingly noncommittal, barely heard at times, letting the pianist dominate.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Ashlee and Kayla replied immediately after and circled the wagons with their own noncommittal notes.
—Irving Ruan, The New Yorker, 28 July 2023
At the State Department, where criticisms of Netanyahu’s policies have been few but sharp, officials were similarly noncommittal.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023
By sounding noncommittal, the speaker is less likely to offend or come off as aggressive.
—Clarissa Wei, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023
Whether Means gets another start is unclear, with Hyde remaining noncommittal when asked after the loss.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023
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Damian Garde, STAT, 30 Nov. 2023
But others who voted for Jordan on the first ballot are noncommittal about supporting him in future votes.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2023
The two are noncommittal about how many songs from that project made their way onto either version of Voir Dire.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023
Campbell, the cellist in the JACK Quartet and one of the most remarkable proponents of new music, was restrained and seemingly noncommittal, barely heard at times, letting the pianist dominate.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Ashlee and Kayla replied immediately after and circled the wagons with their own noncommittal notes.
—Irving Ruan, The New Yorker, 28 July 2023
At the State Department, where criticisms of Netanyahu’s policies have been few but sharp, officials were similarly noncommittal.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023
By sounding noncommittal, the speaker is less likely to offend or come off as aggressive.
—Clarissa Wei, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023
Whether Means gets another start is unclear, with Hyde remaining noncommittal when asked after the loss.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'noncommittal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near noncommittal
Cite this Entry
“Noncommittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncommittal. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
noncommittal
adjective
non·com·mit·tal
ˌnän-kə-ˈmit-ᵊl
: not telling or showing what a person thinks or has decided
a noncommittal answer
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