Skip to main content
nonexpressive

nonexpressive

9.0
Not able to use speech or writing because of brain damage
  • adjective
  • /nɒnɪkˈsprɛsɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no verbal
  • After the accident, he became nonexpressive and struggled to communicate his needs.

Examples

  • The patient's nonexpressive state made it difficult for doctors to assess his pain.

  • Therapists worked with the nonexpressive child to help improve her communication skills.

  • The patient was nonexpressive.

  • She seemed nonexpressive today.

  • After the accident, he became nonexpressive and struggled to communicate his needs.

  • The patient's nonexpressive state made it difficult for doctors to assess his pain.

  • Therapists worked with the nonexpressive child to help improve her communication skills.

Synonyms

nonverbal
vsnonexpressive
4 5.4

Not able to speak or write to communicate with others

is completely unable to produce any spoken or written output after brain injury
nonfluent
vsnonexpressive
7.2

Not able to speak smoothly, with slow and broken speech

is unable to produce spoken or written output rather than only slow speech

Antonyms

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

How Expressive

fluent
42 3.0
expressive
41 3.4
nonexpressive
  • Specialized
9.0
inarticulate
9 7.4

Surface Forms

nonexpressive positive

Morphology

nonexpressive = expressive (transparent) = non + express + ive

Although often used in clinical contexts to indicate inability to produce expression, the form is a simple negation of 'expressive' and remains derivable.

Etymology

Nonexpressive uses non- 'not' and express 'to put out ideas', so it can also mean a person who cannot 'put out' words or writing after a brain injury and so is not able to communicate clearly.