1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in secretive
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
intelligence agencies must be uncommunicative about their operations if they are to be at all effective
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
resigned to the fact that her husband was always going to be an uncommunicative partner
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncommunicative
Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.
—
Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Her older roommate, Prabha, whose uncommunicative husband now works in Germany, is lonely.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
Sasse was uncommunicative and sometimes unresponsive to the university’s students and staff.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Her older roommate, Prabha, whose uncommunicative husband now works in Germany, is lonely.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
Sasse was uncommunicative and sometimes unresponsive to the university’s students and staff.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
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As Jaclyn and Kate wax poetic about a dream vacation that never happened, Laurie’s weary, silent glances seem to tee up an explosive confrontation.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tisdale refused to stay silent, and texted the group after being left behind on another plan.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, evidence of their involvement based on their ownership, partnerships, or the often-secretive nature of their locations made clear that at least part of their purpose is weapons-related.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The recent escape of several research monkeys after the truck carrying them overturned on a Mississippi interstate is the latest glimpse into the secretive industry of animal research and the processes that allow key details of what happened to be kept from the public.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Stir in the reserved sausage, beans and turnip greens.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
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Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
The Chicago Bears were relatively quiet ahead of the NFL trade deadline.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Hotel Fasano São Paulo Itaim Consistently top-notch, from the beds to the dining, Hotel Fasano exudes quiet luxury.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As Legally Blonde's Elle Woods, Witherspoon charted a memorable path from dumb blonde to Harvard Law School graduate.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
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Celebrities fight it out to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Features like undo/redo, mute/unmute, scrolling, and taking screenshots are instantly accessible, significantly speeding up the workflow.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
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That mute minute in an otherwise ever-bobbing, ever-shouting crowd (a portion of which camped outside the Spectrum Center) was a testament to Eilish’s ability to hold her own on a stage that — other than the occasional burst of fire and blitzing lights — had little frill.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Adelman has been reticent to use DaRon Holmes II at the NBA level — the Nuggets established a developmental plan for him primarily focused on the G League before the season — but Holmes did appear alongside Zeke Nnaji to start the fourth quarter of Monday’s game in Miami.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2025
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As such, many are reticent to spend on nonessentials.—
Aaron Gregg,
Arkansas Online,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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