1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
-
This battery system will enable up to 12 hours of silent scientific operations powered entirely by batteries, reducing both emissions and underwater noise that can interfere with sensitive marine research.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
The system’s movements are perfectly precise, silent and ultra-smooth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
The alleged plot to attack Sunday night's UFC event at the White House may have been unraveled by a worried mother who noticed her son's growing obsession with guns, tactical gear and secretive online communications.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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While Congress reauthorizes the legal framework that allows for the collection of the communications, a secretive court known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court authorizes the government to conduct the surveillance programs under certain parameters for up to a year.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
In her early public appearances, she was often seen with her head bowed and her gaze upward, a posture that, alongside her soft-spoken demeanor, led the British press to characterize her as timid and reserved.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
Also not helping matters is Center Rep’s rather reserved staging of the show.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
12 June 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
-
Only six minutes into this match, New Zealand has scored to take a 1-0 lead and temporarily quiet what had been a raucous crowd tilted toward the Iranian team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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The end of mandatory minicamp ushers in the quietest time on the NFL calendar.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
For a few hours, there's no doom and gloom on the news, no family drama, no Slack notifications, no people fighting about dumb stuff on social media.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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That there are actually people trying to turn this guy – the name is Brendan Sorsby — into some kind of victim is just as dumb as that injunction.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Works With Smartphones Additional features include dedicated mute buttons, gain indicators and separate controls for headphone and monitor outputs for more flexibility across recording and monitoring usage.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
To further slash the dialogue, the main protagonist is mute.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Let’s start with the trade deadline, something the Rockies have often been reticent to maneuver in the past.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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The concierge takes responsibility for all the aspects of cross-selling that customer-facing staff may be reticent to undertake, such as conversion tracking and knowing all the key internal contacts.—
Marty Dauer,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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