UNCOMMUNICATIVE Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

uncommunicative

adjective

ˌən-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv

Definition of uncommunicative

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

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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative

Adjective

Physicians, despite their leverage, often remain silent due to cultural pressures.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
David May was the joker in the team; Paul Scholes was the silent assassin, sat there at the back, throwing comments.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

Sgro, the lawyer for the five victims, took issue with the church’s secretive approach to the case and refusal to confirm or deny the blog report.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
The secretive deal comes just five years after Dade Heritage Trust staved off attempts by the city to sell the small property or turn it into a dog park.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of secretive

Adjective

The ArcLight helped pioneer premium modern multiplex features, including reclining stadium-style chairs, in-house gourmet dining and reserved seating.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
May would shed her quiet and reserved manner, teaming up with strangers for tournaments.

— Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026

Definition of reserved

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

Definition of speechless

Adjective

My favorite way to spend an afternoon, though, was borrowing one of the hotel's bicycles and pedaling around South of Fifth, where quiet residential streets quickly give way to cafés, the marina, and the fun buzz of Ocean Drive.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
For gardens, Shosei-en is a quiet surprise so close to Kyoto Station that most visitors walk right past it, a strolling garden of ponds, bridges, and teahouses that makes a perfect first or last stop in the city.

— Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of quiet

Adjective

Fauci sat mute as Johnson described adverse health effects from COVID-19 vaccines and the efficacy of ivermectin to treat the virus.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026
The microphone boom has a mute LED and can rotate through 270 degrees, enabling the headset to be worn with the microphone boom arm on the left or the right side.

— Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of mute

Adjective

Kelly was the reticent one in the couple, happy to let his wife gobble up the silences.

— Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
But other countries may be reticent to use the agency’s reviews in the future if changes like this pilot program compromise the agency’s ability to ensure the safety and effectiveness of experimental drugs entering the market.

— C. Michael White, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

Definition of reticent

Browse Nearby Words

uncommunicable

uncommunicative

uncompassionate

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“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of uncommunicative

adjective

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