incommunicative
Keeps thoughts private
Incommunicative describes someone unwilling or unable to share thoughts, feelings, or information.
The word emphasizes a persistent tendency rather than momentary silence: He became incommunicative after the divorce, an incommunicative witness who refused to cooperate.
The term is formal and somewhat rare; uncommunicative is more common.
Disinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- guardedWary and restrained
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- unforthcomingReluctant to share information
secretive · closemouthed · tight-lipped · discreet · self-contained · laconic · introverted · withdrawn
Without voice or sound
- speechlessUnable to talk
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- quietLacking in sound
- voicelessHaving no voice
nonverbal · unspoken · tongue-tied · dumb · inarticulate · unspeaking · saying nothing · tight-lipped
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unapproachableImpossible to access or befriend
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
remote · unfriendly · impersonal · frosty · chilly · forbidding · stony · unwelcoming
Not prone to reactions
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
- unengagedNot participating or promised
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- checked outDeparted or zoned out
shut down · stonewalling · blank · impassive · nonresponsive · passive · unavailable · tuned out
reticent
Disinclined to speak freely
unforthcoming · secretive · closemouthed · tight-lipped · discreet · self-contained · laconic · introverted · withdrawn · undemonstrative
mute
Without voice or sound
- speechlessUnable to talk
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- quietLacking in sound
voiceless · nonverbal · unspoken · tongue-tied · dumb · inarticulate · unspeaking · saying nothing · tight-lipped · hushed
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unapproachableImpossible to access or befriend
standoffish · remote · unfriendly · impersonal · frosty · chilly · forbidding · stony · unwelcoming · offish
unreactive
Not prone to reactions
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
- unengagedNot participating or promised
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
checked out · shut down · stonewalling · blank · impassive · nonresponsive · passive · unavailable · tuned out · disengaged
incommunicativecommunicative
Apt to share information
forthcoming · open · expressive · talkative · voluble
incommunicativechatty
Inclined to converse freely
gregarious · sociable · garrulous · loquacious · extroverted
incommunicativeopen
Not closed
forthright · candid · unreserved · demonstrative · sociable
communicate, communication, commune, communications, communicative, uncommunicative, communicable, communiqué, excommunication