nonverbal
adjective
non·ver·bal
ˌnän-ˈvər-bəl 
: not verbal: such as
a
: not involving or using words
Still, this pope projects eloquence in his off-the-cuff remarks or even during the long interludes between speeches when he is engaged in nonverbal communication with individuals and crowds.—
John S. Driscoll
John S. Driscoll… psychological aggression refers to both coercive verbal behaviors (e.g., insulting or swearing at partner) and coercive nonverbal behaviors that are not directed at the partner's body (e.g., slamming doors or smashing objects).—Alan E. Kazdin et al.
Alan E. Kazdin et al.
b
: being other than verbal
… some hidden, nonverbal quality of her life that could only be alluded to in the act of painting.—Diane Armitage
Diane Armitage
c
: lacking or appearing to lack the ability to engage in speech
She finds she can communicate with nonverbal children using drum beats, for example.—Robert S. Greenberger
Robert S. GreenbergerExamples of nonverbal in a Sentence
Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.
Recent Examples on the Web
His nonverbal communication ranks among the best in the game.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Because the man was nonverbal, crews looked for other possible victims, but none were found.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Raqibah Smiley says her 5-year-old son, who has autism and is nonverbal, came home from school missing his two front bottom teeth with blood stains on his shirt.
—Alice Gainer, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In other words, focus on qualities that AI agents don’t have, such as the ability to pick up on nonverbal cues, deliver a pitch with a human touch, manage conflict and build relationships.
—Nigel Melville, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonverbal
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Jason Jones, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Because the man was nonverbal, crews looked for other possible victims, but none were found.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Raqibah Smiley says her 5-year-old son, who has autism and is nonverbal, came home from school missing his two front bottom teeth with blood stains on his shirt.
—Alice Gainer, CBS News, 8 May 2026
In other words, focus on qualities that AI agents don’t have, such as the ability to pick up on nonverbal cues, deliver a pitch with a human touch, manage conflict and build relationships.
—Nigel Melville, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonverbal
Cite this Entry
“Nonverbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonverbal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonverbal
adjective
non·ver·bal
(ˈ)nän-ˈvər-bəl
1
: being other than verbal
nonverbal symbols
2
: involving little use of language
nonverbal tests
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