incommunicativeness
Definition
Noun (uncountable): - The quality or state of being unwilling or unable to communicate openly; a tendency towards reserve, secrecy, or silence in speech or expression.
Usage Examples
- (Her tendency to keep to herself prevented open sharing.)
- (The prisoner's refusal to speak hindered questioning.)
- (Reserved behaviour is wrongly interpreted.)
Advanced Usage
"to maintain incommunicativeness": to deliberately remain silent or reserved.
- During the tense negotiations, both sides maintained a studied incommunicativeness. (Both parties refused to reveal their positions.)
"a veil of incommunicativeness": a figurative barrier of silence.
- The author's incommunicativeness about his personal life added an air of mystery. (His secrecy created intrigue.)
Variants and Related Words
Incommunicative (adj): not communicative; reserved or taciturn.
- He was an incommunicative child, preferring to play alone. (He didn't talk much.)
Incommunicado (adj/adv): without means of communication; isolated.
- The captive was held incommunicado for days. (He was denied contact with others.)
Synonyms
- Reserve: restraint in speaking or expressing emotions.
- Taciturnity: habitually silent or uncommunicative.
- Secrecy: the quality of keeping information hidden.
- Reticence: a reluctance to speak or reveal thoughts.
Antonyms
- Communicativeness: willingness to share thoughts and feelings.
- Openness: frankness and lack of concealment.
Related Idioms
"Clam up": to become suddenly silent, especially from shyness or fear.
- When asked about his past, he clammed up. (He became uncommunicative.)
"Keep one's cards close to one's chest": to hide one's intentions or plans.
- The negotiator kept his cards close to his chest, showing incommunicativeness. (He revealed nothing.)