noncommittal

adjective non·com·mit·tal \ ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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

—

noncommittally

play \ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl-ē\ adverb

See noncommittal defined for English-language learners

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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 of noncommittal from the Web

When asked about his future at Stamford Bridge, Conte seemed noncommittal.

— SI.com, "Conte Deflects Exit Talk & Insists Blues Must Continue With 'Professionalism' After Spurs Defeat," 2 Apr. 2018
Argentina's finance minister, Nicolás Dujovne, asked Mnuchin for his country to be exempted during a 10-minute meeting on Tuesday, but Mnuchin was noncommittal.

— damian paletta, chicagotribune.com, "At G-20, Trump team shows no sign of backing off potential trade war," 20 Mar. 2018
When asked if her commission will consider raising the age limit on guns, DeVos said the group would look at it, but was noncommittal about what may emerge.

— brian bennett, latimes.com, "Trump backs off raising age limit to buy some weapons and focuses on arming teachers," 12 Mar. 2018
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores was noncommittal Friday night on the future of team president and coach Stan Van Gundy past this season.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons owner on Stan Van Gundy's future: 'Not winning enough'," 9 Mar. 2018
Goodell was noncommittal when asked at his annual news conference during Super Bowl week whether the owners will change the anthem policy this offseason to keep players in the locker room until after the anthem is played.

— mark maske, chicagotribune.com, "Stand? Sit it out? NFL owners wrestle with options on national anthem," 8 Mar. 2018
There is no other way to explain the team’s continued vague and noncommittal stance about his future.

— clarence hill, star-telegram, "Noncommittal Cowboys appear to be setting the stage for Dez Bryant departure | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 28 Feb. 2018
Wolff was not surprised that federal officials were publicly noncommittal about the idea when reached last week.

— bruce selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "Bexar commissioner wants driverless lanes on I-35," 19 Feb. 2018
The North Koreans were noncommittal, but Mr. Feltman gently suggested that the world would be paying attention to whatever Mr. Kim said next.

— New York Times, "The Quiet Diplomacy to Save the Olympics in a Nuclear Standoff," 8 Feb. 2018

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.

First Known Use of noncommittal

1829

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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NONCOMMITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

noncommittal

adjective

Definition of noncommittal for English Language Learners

: not telling or showing what you think about something

NONCOMMITTAL Defined for Kids

noncommittal

adjective non·com·mit·tal \ ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl \

Definition of noncommittal for Students

: 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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See words that rhyme with noncommittal Spanish Central: Translation of noncommittal Nglish: Translation of noncommittal for Spanish speakers

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noncommittal

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noncommittally

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NONCOMMITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

noncommittal

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noncommittal

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noncommittal

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noncommittally

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NONCOMMITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

noncommittal

Definition of noncommittal for English Language Learners

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noncommittal

Definition of noncommittal for Students

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