unexpansive
Holding thoughts back
Unexpansive describes someone reserved or uncommunicative, unwilling to open up or share freely: He remained unexpansive about his past.
It can also mean physically or conceptually limited in scope or extent—not spreading, growing, or extending: an unexpansive view of the government's role.
The word is formal and uncommon.
Disinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- guardedWary and restrained
uncommunicative · tight-lipped · private · discreet · undemonstrative · understated · subdued · close-mouthed
Of small width
- restrictedLimited in scope
- confinedKept within bounds
- boundedConfined within limits
- circumscribedConfined within bounds
constrained · cramped · curtailed · meager · scant · sparse · modest · small-scale
Unable to bend
- inelasticResistant to deformation
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stiffNot easily bent
- nonexpandingUnable to increase dimensions
compact · dense · solid · incompressible · hard · firm · unbending · unstretchable
Examining one's own mind
- inward-lookingFocused on oneself
- self-containedWhole without external parts
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- reclusiveSeeking isolation from others
contemplative · internal · inner-directed · hermitic · unsociable · retiring · homebound · bookish
reticent
Disinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
guarded · uncommunicative · tight-lipped · private · discreet · undemonstrative · understated · subdued · close-mouthed · unforthcoming
narrow
Of small width
- restrictedLimited in scope
- confinedKept within bounds
- boundedConfined within limits
circumscribed · constrained · cramped · curtailed · meager · scant · sparse · modest · small-scale · parochial
inflexible
Unable to bend
- inelasticResistant to deformation
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stiffNot easily bent
nonexpanding · compact · dense · solid · incompressible · hard · firm · unbending · unstretchable · contracted
introspective
Examining one's own mind
- inward-lookingFocused on oneself
- self-containedWhole without external parts
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
reclusive · contemplative · internal · inner-directed · hermitic · unsociable · retiring · homebound · bookish · meditative
unexpansiveexpansive
Covering a large area
expandable · inflatable · distensible · expansible · elastic
unexpansiveexpansive
Covering a large area
effusive · outgoing · open · warm · demonstrative
unexpansiveexpansive
Covering a large area
broad · far-reaching · wide-ranging · extensive · comprehensive
expand, expansion, expanded, expansive, expanding, expands, expansions, expandable, expansionism