1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 uncommunicative
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
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
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
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
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
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
-
In its megacities and beyond, traffic is increasingly falling silent, the dull whir of the electric motor replacing the purr of an internal combustion engine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
This is where Audible will host events nearly every day this month, including author conversations, trivia, open mics, craft workshops and silent book clubs.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
For some members of the Saudi royal court — the country’s secretive, most powerful administrative body, which has green light and veto power over all cultural policies and vets major entertainment investments like Desert Warrior — Mackie was a confusing choice.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Palantir has always had a secretive reputation, forbidding employees from speaking to the press and requiring alumni to sign non-disparagement agreements.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ted’s a tad reserved and cold in his treatment of Annie.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That turn in the national spotlight was in stark contrast to Hughes’ reserved nature.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
As the Moon moves through your 12th House of Solitude, quiet preparation sharpens your thinking.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite a quiet start on radar, the weather is expected to turn more active later in the day.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Does that kind of discourse-friendly success override the fact that Euphoria is too young, too scummy, and too dumb to fit into the usual Emmy pattern?—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
-
And that’s where things somehow got even dumber After being questioned by security, Beyer reportedly gave a fake name, which prompted them to call police.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Use the mute features and select a nightstand that has a drawer or shelf where it can be concealed.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The microphone also has a tap-to-mute sensor that allows users to quickly manage what's heard through it.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The outraged reactions only intensified, including claims that teams would be reticent to do business with the Ravens in the future.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That and his American plainstyle, beautiful and reticent, which a fifth-grade teacher first introduced me to, opening a door that stayed open.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
