noncommittal

adjective

non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
Synonyms of noncommittalnext
1
: giving no clear indication of attitude or feeling
a noncommittal reply
He was noncommittal about how the money would be spent.
2
: having no clear or distinctive character
… a noncommittal word which might be used of anything from babies to furnaces.—J. C. Swaim
noncommittally
ˌnän-kə-ˈmi-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of noncommittal

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Examples of noncommittal in a Sentence

She would only give noncommittal answers about her plans. The president remained noncommittal, saying only that all options would be considered.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And while a grant proposal is currently before the Department of Defense to extend research support for another five years, the NCAA is noncommittal about its future funding of the project. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The Movie stinks in a thousand relatively minor and noncommittal ways that end up feeling so much worse than a grand and more personal disaster would. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 So why were the Braves publicly noncommittal about using him? — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Elsewhere around the town square, feelings range from cautious to noncommittal, from sorrowful to suspicious. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for noncommittal

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of noncommittal was in 1829

Rhymes for noncommittal

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Browse Nearby Words

noncommitment
noncommittal
noncommittalism
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Cite this Entry

“Noncommittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noncommittal. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

noncommittal

adjective
non·​com·​mit·​tal ˌnän-kə-ˈmit-ᵊl How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
: not telling or showing what a person thinks or has decided
a noncommittal answer
noncommittally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce noncommittal (audio)
adverb
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