noncommittal

non·com·mit·tal | \ ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl

How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)

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Definition of noncommittal

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

Other Words from noncommittal Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about noncommittal

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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 Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, have been noncommittal. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska legislators say they’re preparing to reconvene in early May," 22 Apr. 2020 The president is polite but noncommittal, and after the call, Feinstein leaves the room grumbling. — Jim Geraghty, National Review, "The CIA Torture Bombshell That Didn’t Change Anything," 20 Nov. 2019 Since Tuesday's announcement, public figures have questioned the noncommittal, broad-strokes language the association used to explain the next steps. — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, "NCAA athletes getting paid: Thousands could be in their futures," 1 Nov. 2019 The response from the Trump White House was decidedly noncommittal, a stance that confused the Ukrainians, who continued to believe that such a meeting was just around the corner. — Joshua Yaffa Adam Entous, The New Yorker, "A Ukrainian Push for a White House Visit Gave Trump Leverage Over Zelensky," 28 Sep. 2019 For weeks the administration’s response was noncommittal. — Jenny Leonard, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Sticks to His China Tariff Guns, Ignoring Pleas for Relief," 29 Apr. 2020 At a time when the electorate is looking for sharp definitions and ambitious visions, her emphasis strikes some Democrats as vague and noncommittal. — Molly Ball, Time, "Kamala Harris Is Making Her Case. But Can She Stand Out in a Crowded Field?," 3 Oct. 2019 In discussing his upcoming legislative goals in New York State, Cuomo was noncommittal when a reporter asked him about prison reform. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "The Pandemic Economy in American Prisons," 24 Mar. 2020 Bernard appeared noncommittal to Schrader’s request at two board meetings Tuesday and Thursday and didn’t return an email Friday seeking comment. — oregonlive, "Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader withdraws support for paying chairman’s legal bills from ethics flap," 18 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'noncommittal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near noncommittal

noncommissioned

noncommissioned officer

noncommittalism

Statistics for noncommittal

Last Updated

4 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Noncommittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncommittal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for noncommittal

noncommittal

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of noncommittal

: not telling or showing what you think about something

See the full definition for noncommittal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

noncommittal

non·com·mit·tal | \ ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl

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Kids Definition of noncommittal

: not revealing thoughts or decisions … her tone was so quiet and noncommittal that I knew Miss Crocker was not satisfied with her reaction.— Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder

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