incommunicative
/,inkə'mju:nikətiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Not inclined to talk, give information, or express opinions; reserved, taciturn, or uncommunicative.
Usage
The adjective "incommunicative" describes a person who is habitually silent, reluctant to engage in conversation, or unwilling to share thoughts and information. It implies a withdrawn or reserved nature.
Examples
- The witness was surprisingly incommunicative during the police interview.
- After the bad news, he became quiet and incommunicative for the rest of the day.
- Her incommunicative demeanor made it difficult for the team to understand her perspective.
Advanced Usage
- Formal/Descriptive Context: Often used in formal writing, psychological descriptions, or character assessments to describe a persistent trait.
- The patient's incommunicative state posed a significant challenge for the therapist.
Variants and Related Words
- Uncommunicative: The more common synonym, identical in meaning.
- Incommunicado (Adjective/Adverb): A related but distinct term meaning deprived of or without means of communication with others (e.g., ). Do not confuse with "incommunicative."
Synonyms
- Taciturn
- Reticent
- Reserved
- Tight-lipped
- Silent
Antonyms
- Communicative
- Talkative
- Loquacious
- Garrulous
- Expressive
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Clam up: To suddenly become silent and refuse to talk. (e.g., ) This is a phrasal verb describing an action, whereas "incommunicative" describes a characteristic state.
Adjective
- not inclined to talk or give information or express opinions