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

noncommittally

ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of noncommittal

• neutral
• boring
• nondescript
• characterless
• beige
• tiring

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

Several of America’s main European partners have declined or been noncommittal, including Britain, France and Germany. —Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

When asked Sunday night if Roman is the right coach to be calling plays moving forward, Harbaugh was noncommittal. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

General Manager Perry Minasian, when asked about future spending on Wednesday, was noncommittal. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026

During his end-of-season news conference Monday, Berry was noncommittal while discussing Sanders. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for noncommittal

• prehospital
• acquittal
• belittle
• committal
• hospital
• submittal
• transmittal
• brittle
• kittel
• kittle
• little
• spital

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

noncommittally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb