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Recent Examples of nonspeaking
Jude opted for the nonspeaking part, playing a baleen whale, minding his own business.
—
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Finally, a shout-out to actor Ryan Cooper, who plays the dead man, for the most part a nonspeaking role.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 15 June 2017
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Finally, a shout-out to actor Ryan Cooper, who plays the dead man, for the most part a nonspeaking role.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 15 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonspeaking
Adjective
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When the first hook comes back around after Earl’s slinky verse, Niontay’s staccato punchlines lose all shape and melt into a putty of wordless, gurgling melody.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
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There may be fewer scenes in the Causeway oeuvre more chilling than a wordless opening when Kori (Emily Browning) gives a contemptuous once-over to the pile of greasy food in front of her at a pub while her boyfriend Nick (Jai Courtney) is fetching some pints.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Imogen Poots stars as silent film star Gloria Swanson, who had a passionate affair with Joe Kennedy Sr.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
With the help of a silent backer, the designer establishes Schiaparelli Pour le Sport at 4 rue de la Paix.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a bowl, stir together the eggs, cream, half the cheese, cayenne and reserved shrimp mixture until blended.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Admission is free, but reserved seating is limited.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Havana had been mum on talks with Rubio.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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While Kidman and Curtis were mum about their hopes and plans for season two, their co-stars — who are not producers — were a little more forthcoming.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mueller’s stern visage and taciturn demeanor matched the seriousness of the mission, as his team spent nearly two years quietly conducting one of the most consequential, yet divisive, investigations in Justice Department history.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Think Rambo but even more taciturn.—
Liam Denning,
Bloomberg,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Her high-school senior daughter Josie (Chloe East) is terse and uncommunicative with her, angry about how much space her mother’s drama has taken up in everyone else’s life.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What’s changed in the 40 years since Predator is that action heroes can’t be mysterious and laconic any more.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Here is an echoey and relatively quiet limestone room full of people — Mondragon’s deep laconic monotone would attract attention in a second.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Aside from some quiet complaints about the NCAA’s COVID-19 protocols for people sitting around the court, no one offered anything other than positive reviews.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Despite her difficult start, Kaiko has since been recovering in her new home, with the viral video capturing a quiet but significant milestone—her first night sleeping indoors.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonspeaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonspeaking. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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