nonspeaking

adjective

Definition of nonspeakingnext
as in wordless

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonspeaking Her oldest child is autistic and nonspeaking, and needs significant attention and care, and the baby had been teething and not sleeping well. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 Adele got a nonspeaking part in the human machine that would gouge the prisoner’s sentence into the officer’s body. — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 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
  1. wordless
  2. silent
  3. reserved
  4. mum
  5. taciturn
  6. uncommunicative
  7. laconic
  8. quiet
Adjective
  • Four people in a room, playing together, cameras catching all of their wordless communication, their concentration and their intensity in full focus.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Lee’s wordless metaphors urge us to consider something at the margins of language, logic, and experience.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wordless
Adjective
  • William has largely remained silent about the brothers' estrangement and has not publicly expressed a desire to repair their relationship.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Weigand spends much of his time on house calls, reviving cherished heirlooms that have long fallen silent.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Doncic’s dueling personalities — the charismatic showman on the court and the reserved personality off it — overlap in his generosity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Premier and reserved parking passes are both $65 on Ticketmaster.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • The Kremlin has also been mum about the ceasefire, with Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying the diesel deal and a broader peace agreement were on separate tracks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Moreno is mum about what transpired at the reunion, which airs on Monday, August 31, but says that Dean approached her in the hallway to clear the air.
    — Paula Mejía, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mum
Adjective
  • While uptight Elinor excels at hiding her feelings for the similarly taciturn Edward, Marianne goes wild (nearly feral, really) when new neighbor Willoughby saves her from physical injury (literally sweeping her off her feet and a wincing ankle).
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the scenes, the brilliant and taciturn spymaster Smiley orchestrates operations while the elusive Soviet mastermind Karla looms in the shadows, setting the stage for a conflict that will define a generation.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of taciturn
Adjective
  • Staff being uncommunicative with EMS workers.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026
  • Just as importantly, His voice was loud and and clear in marshalling a Chelsea back line that has too often appeared quiet and uncommunicative in his absence this season.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 16 May 2026
Definition of uncommunicative
Adjective
  • In the early days, at his own shop, he had been known for his laconic style of selling.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Gordon is cherub-faced, with low affect, speaks in a laconic and analytic style, and has a wry and elusive smile.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of laconic
Adjective
  • After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet

Browse Nearby Words

nonsocial
nonspeaking
nonspecific
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Cite this Entry

“Nonspeaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonspeaking. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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