uncommunicative
adjective
un·com·mu·ni·ca·tive ˌən-kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkā-tiv 
-ni-kə-tiv
: not disposed to talk or impart information : reserved
Synonyms
- dumb
- mum
- mute
- muted
- silent
- speechless
- wordless
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Recent Examples on the Web The man, never named, is uncommunicative, neither sharing much of himself nor seeming interested in getting to know Emerick at any depth. 
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Aug. 2022 Isolated and uncommunicative, Lucas grows feebler, losing stamina and praying to God to deliver him from the unconquerable place. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 The captives are separated into three groups and driven to isolated locations; their captors are brutal and uncommunicative. Tom Nolan, WSJ, 13 May 2022 Many less attractive traits are also recorded: Charles could be uncommunicative and dilatory, evasive and mendacious, refractory, vindictive, obstinate, even outright wicked, though self-delusive about the motives of others. R.j.w. Evans, The New York Review of Books, 11 June 2020 In a deposition, Richard Sackler’s daughter Marianna is sullen and uncommunicative. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2021 Many less attractive traits are also recorded: Charles could be uncommunicative and dilatory, evasive and mendacious, refractory, vindictive, obstinate, even outright wicked, though self-delusive about the motives of others. R.j.w. Evans, The New York Review of Books, 11 June 2020 Patients and their families who have testified at legislative hearings describe an unresponsive and uncommunicative board that usually allows doctors accused of negligence or malpractice to continue to practice. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2021 That deadline has since been extended to June 7, but Toho said the property’s management has been uncommunicative and delinquent on payments for months. Katie Rice, orlandosentinel.com, 7 May 2021 See More
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Aug. 2022 Isolated and uncommunicative, Lucas grows feebler, losing stamina and praying to God to deliver him from the unconquerable place. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 The captives are separated into three groups and driven to isolated locations; their captors are brutal and uncommunicative. Tom Nolan, WSJ, 13 May 2022 Many less attractive traits are also recorded: Charles could be uncommunicative and dilatory, evasive and mendacious, refractory, vindictive, obstinate, even outright wicked, though self-delusive about the motives of others. R.j.w. Evans, The New York Review of Books, 11 June 2020 In a deposition, Richard Sackler’s daughter Marianna is sullen and uncommunicative. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2021 Many less attractive traits are also recorded: Charles could be uncommunicative and dilatory, evasive and mendacious, refractory, vindictive, obstinate, even outright wicked, though self-delusive about the motives of others. R.j.w. Evans, The New York Review of Books, 11 June 2020 Patients and their families who have testified at legislative hearings describe an unresponsive and uncommunicative board that usually allows doctors accused of negligence or malpractice to continue to practice. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2021 That deadline has since been extended to June 7, but Toho said the property’s management has been uncommunicative and delinquent on payments for months. Katie Rice, orlandosentinel.com, 7 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1691, in the meaning defined above
uncommunicative
adjective
1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech the child was uncommunicative and unhelpful to school investigators Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- silent
- speechless
- mute
- inarticulate
- mum
- wordless
- muted
- dumb
- sulky
- tongue-tied
- sullen
- voiceless
- sulking
- nonvocal
- dumbstruck
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- communicative
- speaking
- talkative
- voluble
- articulate
- talking
- loquacious
- eloquent
- garrulous
- vocal
- fluent
- talky
- outspoken
- well-spoken
- glib
- gabby
- unreserved
- facile
- silver-tongued
- smooth-tongued
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
- silent
- secretive
- quiet
- reticent
- closemouthed
- taciturn
- close
- dark
- prudent
- reserved
- discreet
- tight-mouthed
- tight-lipped
- clandestine
- furtive
- surreptitious
- sneaky
- stealthy
- underhanded
- covert
- undercover
- secret
- underhand
- sneak
- hugger-mugger
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- communicative
- open
- frank
- honest
- tactless
- candid
- outspoken
- blunt
- up-front
- out-front
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- silent
- reserved
- taciturn
- restrained
- dumb
- laconic
- reticent
- aloof
- tight-lipped
- closemouthed
- introverted
- inhibited
- diffident
- indrawn
- staid
- bashful
- sheepish
- sedate
- coy
- backward
- self-effacing
- retiring
- demure
- sober
- modest
- self-contained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- talkative
- communicative
- chatty
- loquacious
- garrulous
- vocal
- conversational
- outspoken
- talky
- mouthy
- unreserved
- gabby
- gossipy
- blabby
- motormouthed
- verbose
- outgoing
- wordy
- gregarious
- free-spoken
- prolix
- diffuse
- extroverted
- sociable
- windy
- rambling
- extraverted
- talebearing
- long-winded
- a priori
- a punta d'arco
- a quarter after
- a quarter of
- a quarter past
- a quarter to
- a question mark over
- a question of
- a race against the clock
- a race against time
- a rap across the knuckles
- a rap on the knuckles
- a rap on/over/across the knuckles
- a rap over the knuckles
- a raw deal
- a red rag to a bull
- a remote chance
- a roll in the hay
- a roll of the dice
- a roof over one's head
- a rovescio
- a safe bet
- a shade
- a shadow of (a) doubt
- a shadow of a doubt