Uncommunicative — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv/ un·com·mu·ni·ca·tive

Meaning & Definition of Uncommunicative

Uncommunicative (adjective)

  1. not disposed to talk or impart information, reserved

Uncommunicative (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. deliberately refraining from speech

    "the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators"

    similar: mum, mute, muted, silent, speechless, wordless
    related: inarticulate, tongue-tied, nonvocal, voiceless, dumbstruck, sulking, sulky, sullen
    opposite: communicative, speaking, talking
    near: articulate, eloquent, fluent, voluble, well-spoken, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, talkative, talky, outspoken, unreserved, vocal, facile, glib, silver-tongued, smooth-tongued

  2. 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"

    similar: close, closemouthed, dark, reticent, secretive, tight-mouthed
    related: quiet, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped, discreet, prudent, clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded
    opposite: communicative, open
    near: candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front, blunt, outspoken, tactless

  3. 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"

    similar: closemouthed, dumb, laconic, reserved, reticent, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped
    related: aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, restrained, sedate, self-contained, sober, staid, backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, modest, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish
    opposite: blabby, chatty, communicative, conversational, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky, unreserved
    near: free-spoken, outspoken, vocal, gossipy, talebearing, diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy, extroverted, gregarious, outgoing, sociable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Uncommunicative

The most common words with a similar meaning to Uncommunicative:

mum, mute, muted, silent, speechless, wordless, close, closemouthed, dark, reticent, secretive, tight-mouthed, dumb, laconic, reserved, taciturn, tight-lipped

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Uncommunicative

Words with the opposite meaning of Uncommunicative:

communicative, speaking, talking, open, blabby, chatty, conversational, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky, unreserved

Related Words for Uncommunicative

inarticulate, tongue-tied, nonvocal, voiceless, dumbstruck, sulking, sulky, sullen, quiet, discreet, prudent, clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded, aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, restrained, sedate, self-contained

Near Antonyms of Uncommunicative

articulate, eloquent, fluent, voluble, well-spoken, outspoken, vocal, facile, glib, silver-tongued, smooth-tongued, candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front, blunt, tactless, free-spoken, gossipy, talebearing, diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy, extroverted, gregarious

Origin & Etymology of Uncommunicative

First known use: 1691

Frequently Asked Questions about Uncommunicative

What does "Uncommunicative" mean?

"Uncommunicative" means not disposed to talk or impart information, reserved. As an adjective, it is defined as: not disposed to talk or impart information, reserved. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Uncommunicative"?

Other words for "Uncommunicative" include mum, mute, muted, silent, speechless, wordless, close and closemouthed. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Uncommunicative" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Uncommunicative"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Uncommunicative". Common alternatives include mum, mute, muted, silent, speechless, wordless, close, closemouthed, dark and reticent.

What is the opposite of "Uncommunicative"?

Antonyms of "Uncommunicative" include communicative, speaking, talking, open, blabby, chatty, conversational and gabby. Near antonyms include articulate, eloquent, fluent and voluble.

How do you use "Uncommunicative" in a sentence?

Examples of "Uncommunicative" in a sentence: "the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators"; "intelligence agencies must be uncommunicative about their operations if they are to be at all effective"; "resigned to the fact that her husband was always going to be an uncommunicative partner".

Is "Uncommunicative" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Uncommunicative" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Uncommunicative"?

"Uncommunicative" is pronounced /ˌən-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv/ and divided into syllables as un·com·mu·ni·ca·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Uncommunicative"?

First known use: 1691.