uncommunicative
Keeping thoughts private
Uncommunicative describes someone who doesn't share thoughts, feelings, or information readily.
An uncommunicative person may be naturally reserved, deliberately withholding, or simply unwilling to engage: He became uncommunicative whenever the subject of his family came up.
The word suggests a frustrating absence of expected openness rather than mere quietness.
Without voice or sound
- speechlessUnable to talk
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- quietLacking in sound
- nonverbalNot using speech
voiceless · unspeaking · hushed · dumb · unvoiced · tongue-tied · mum · untalkative
Turned toward inner life
- guardedWary and restrained
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- self-containedWhole without external parts
- unforthcomingReluctant to share information
discreet · secretive · closemouthed · tight-lipped · withdrawn · buttoned-up · cagey · evasive
Brief in expression
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- terseBrief to bluntness
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
short · brief · clipped · sparing · pithy · succinct · abrupt · gruff
Far away or aloof
- coldLow temperature state
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- unapproachableImpossible to access or befriend
standoffish · remote · impassive · unresponsive · inaccessible · frosty · cool · offish
Impossible to understand
- sphinxlikeMysterious and impassive
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- crypticObscure in meaning
- unreadableCannot be deciphered
impenetrable · unfathomable · opaque · expressionless · deadpan · impassive · stolid · unexpressive
mute
Without voice or sound
- speechlessUnable to talk
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- quietLacking in sound
nonverbal · voiceless · unspeaking · hushed · dumb · unvoiced · tongue-tied · mum · untalkative · monosyllabic
introverted
Turned toward inner life
- guardedWary and restrained
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- self-containedWhole without external parts
unforthcoming · discreet · secretive · closemouthed · tight-lipped · withdrawn · buttoned-up · cagey · evasive · noncommittal
laconic
Brief in expression
brusque · short · brief · clipped · sparing · pithy · succinct · abrupt · gruff · moody
distant
Far away or aloof
- coldLow temperature state
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
unapproachable · standoffish · remote · impassive · unresponsive · inaccessible · frosty · cool · offish · antisocial
inscrutable
Impossible to understand
- sphinxlikeMysterious and impassive
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- crypticObscure in meaning
unreadable · impenetrable · unfathomable · opaque · expressionless · deadpan · impassive · stolid · unexpressive · inexpressive
- silencequiet, silent, mute, hush, stillness
- introvertsintrovert, introverted, shy, reserved, loner
- connection statusconnected, disconnected, online, offline, connecting
uncommunicativeforthcoming
Soon to appear
open · communicative · candid · unreserved · transparent
uncommunicativetalkative
Inclined to speak much
loquacious · garrulous · chatty · voluble · gabby
uncommunicativeextroverted
Energized by social interaction
gregarious · sociable · outgoing · vocal · conversational