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
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
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What do the Gen Z pout, influencer accent, silent scream say about young people?—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Republican leaders may have initially felt blindsided by the conflict, but most quickly either bent the knee or remained silent.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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The way the actress moves through space physically gives even the most frenetic sequences an athletic, almost ethereal sense of direction, and Tung’s reserved ferocity doesn’t so much add to the spectacle as justify it.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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Shayla was more reserved, often scrolling quietly on her phone.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 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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As the Moon moves through your 12th House of Solitude, quiet preparation sharpens your thinking.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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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
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Part of me wants to blame the NFL for making the players walk four miles down that dumb tunnel after they're picked.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Asking dumb questions is always my thing.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Typically, the military services are reticent to offer details about members of the special forces and take measures to keep their identities secret.—
Hallie Golden,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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