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
While the weather may be noncommittal, New Yorkers have decided that spring has sprung—Jennifer Lawrence chief among them.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Several prominent senators who could help decide whether the legislation moves forward have been noncommittal.
—Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been noncommittal about bringing it up for a vote.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
Smith said Mukhtar is back in full training and could be involved but was noncommittal.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
In 26 years, the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter might be another sham in the history of a noncommittal energy transition.
—Wal Van Lierop, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Their responses — noncommittal, halting and legalistic — to questions about how their schools’ disciplinary policies would apply to students who called for the genocide of Jews left many people outraged.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2023
Germany – Europe’s largest economy, and a notable holdout from toeing the Washington line on a blanket ban on Huawei and ZTE equipment – has been noncommittal.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was noncommittal on Wednesday about the bill's future in the lower chamber.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2024
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Several prominent senators who could help decide whether the legislation moves forward have been noncommittal.
—Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been noncommittal about bringing it up for a vote.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
Smith said Mukhtar is back in full training and could be involved but was noncommittal.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
In 26 years, the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter might be another sham in the history of a noncommittal energy transition.
—Wal Van Lierop, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Their responses — noncommittal, halting and legalistic — to questions about how their schools’ disciplinary policies would apply to students who called for the genocide of Jews left many people outraged.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2023
Germany – Europe’s largest economy, and a notable holdout from toeing the Washington line on a blanket ban on Huawei and ZTE equipment – has been noncommittal.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was noncommittal on Wednesday about the bill's future in the lower chamber.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2024
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 18 Apr. 2024.
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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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