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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncommunicative
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
Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
-
The Dodgers’ offense remained mostly silent until the ninth inning, when Andy Pages hit a two-run home run to prevent a shutout.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Each statue the perfect epitome of silent, mothering, virginal womanhood that Ireland had come to worship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Possible sharing of nuclear secrets The claim that North Korea was the likely recipient of the two reactors allegedly aboard the ship comes after the secretive totalitarian regime released images in December 2025 of its first nuclear submarine.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Some efforts to protect water resources have had limited success, as backlash over secretive deals allowing data center developments without public notice increases.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Blue Origin, on the other hand, is taking its usual reserved approach compared to SpaceX's iterative design implementations.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Redford sought to play the Bob Woodward character as reserved and calculating, while Hoffman, as Carl Bernstein, was manic and chain-smoking.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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The Yankees, who have scored eight runs over their losing streak, were otherwise quiet against Brandon Young and Baltimore’s bullpen, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding five runners.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
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Treatment rooms are tucked into a quiet section of the hotel, and the menu covers the usual range—massages, facials, and body treatments aimed largely at travelers recovering from long flights or long days of sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
These dumb little kids were freaking bored.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
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The series will now be hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall and the network has lined up a phalanx of celebrities aiming not to be the dumbest in the country.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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That strong start ended against the Rangers, as Cabrera (3-1) allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings in his worst outing of the season, and the Cubs offense was on mute.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Three recent preprint papers that arrived within weeks of one another probe the possibility that dark matter is not a mute backdrop but an active participant in cosmic physics.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Rashad has always been reticent to follow in the footsteps of his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
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While the Houthis suspended the attacks in fall 2025, container shipping has still been reticent about sending loops through the area full time.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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