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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncommunicative
Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Where Tammy proves no more fortunate than Patti is in her choice of husband: David, distant and uncommunicative, is having an affair with his office assistant, Narcedalia (Dascha Polanco).
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Where Tammy proves no more fortunate than Patti is in her choice of husband: David, distant and uncommunicative, is having an affair with his office assistant, Narcedalia (Dascha Polanco).
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
-
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 1979, Steve Jobs led a delegation from Apple into Xerox’s secretive Silicon Valley computer lab.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Israeli leaders visited one of two southern communities near a secretive nuclear research site struck by Iranian missiles late Saturday, with scores of people wounded.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 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
-
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
-
Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
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
Adjective
-
Rock and pop are often unsophisticated, or downright dumb.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Urban infrastructure, after all, is still pretty dumb—forcing robotaxis to be designed around transit systems that are decades old.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This fantasy chat plays out in all its white cluelessness as the sitcom rewinds and repeats on mute.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But for now, the best bet remains intricately established mute filters and prayer.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2019, while serving as regional superintendent for the Palm Beach County district, Licata managed a controversy after the principal at Spanish River Community High School appeared reticent to acknowledge the Holocaust as a historical fact during an email exchange with a parent.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When we were left alone for a moment, this person—who had been formal and reticent throughout the evening—touched my wrist in a gesture of unexpected intimacy, then leaned in to quietly thank me for writing the 2012 film Argo.—
Chris Terrio,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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