1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncommunicative
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
Some supporters felt their club had become too corporate, too cold and too uncommunicative.
—Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
Often, a less qualified candidate who displays high energy and eagerness can outshine a more qualified individual who appears disinterested and uncommunicative.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Sasse was uncommunicative and sometimes unresponsive to the university’s students and staff.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for uncommunicative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncommunicative
Adjective
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As Jaclyn and Kate wax poetic about a dream vacation that never happened, Laurie’s weary, silent glances seem to tee up an explosive confrontation.—
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Tisdale refused to stay silent, and texted the group after being left behind on another plan.—
Adjective
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In the late 1960s, Fowler was charged with the Herculean task of planning and building Disney’s secretive Project X — which would become Florida’s Magic Kingdom.—
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The decision was a significant win for the town leadership, which has been under political fire from a band of detractors accusing it of being secretive and ignoring the will of voters.—
Adjective
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Stir in parsley and reserved rice.—
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Add reserved maraschino cherry juice, adding more as needed, and stir until smooth.—
Adjective
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In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
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Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Adjective
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The lightweight fabric is also quiet, so you won’t be awoken from crinkling material.—
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The family settled in a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.—
Adjective
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Okay, there's trying something new and then there's just being dumb.—
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Why portray Dorothy as a doe-eyed ding-a-ling; as not just naive but dumb?—
Adjective
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When Hall proves too mute to debate, Kiritsis vents to a radio disc jockey named Fred (Colman Domingo), even though Fred is more interested in smooth tunes than hard news.—
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Two streetlamps engaged in a mute but luminous dialogue, an indecipherable Morse code, alluding to the silent exchanges and secret ciphers of strangers who meet there for their trysts.—
Adjective
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For millions of Iranians inside and outside the country, this is another tumultuous episode in the country’s recent history, with familiar old faces reticent to change.—
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Herro was similarly reticent when asked about the reserve role.—
Cite this Entry
“Uncommunicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncommunicative. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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