NONSPEAKING Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

nonspeaking

adjective

Definition of nonspeaking

as in wordless

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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

Adjective

Night Ride is wordless, allowing readers to imagine an accompanying narrative or to appreciate the artwork on its own.

— Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Happily, the indie-cinema veterans had the means to produce the series—a lyrical, often wordless portrait of the spiritual seeker as a young woman, soulfully portrayed by Megan Stott.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of wordless

Adjective

Towering cathedrals of ice define the shore, in contrast to the vast, untouched, eerily silent expanses that stretch inland.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2026
At the time, which was also a moment of upheaval for filmdom as talking pictures replaced silent films as the norm for high-end films, American players kept their distance rather than cede ground to the French on leading the film business.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

Spread the jam evenly over the warm shortbread crust, then sprinkle crumbles of the reserved shortbread mixture over the top, completely covering the jam.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Not only are there no corporate suites in Armstrong, but the upper sections are full of non-reserved seating open to folks who purchased general admission grounds passes, which Tiafoe mentioned.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reserved

Adjective

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
The president was mum, however, on where the PAC would intervene ahead of the midterm elections.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of mum

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

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
Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026

Definition of laconic

Browse Nearby Words

nonsocial

nonspeaking

nonspecific

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nonspeaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonspeaking. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nonspeaking

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quorum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes