unspeaking
1
5.1
- adjective
- /ʌnˈspiːkɪŋ/
- They rode at a gallop now, unspeaking, following the spoor left by something of tremendous proportion and horribly destructive in its passage.
Examples
-
The farmer stared, unspeaking, at the money.
Fiction book (1991) -
The audience sat in an unspeaking silence, captivated by the performance.
-
Be a cold stone, patient, unspeaking, and regard the world, missing nothing.
Fiction book (2000) -
When they found him, Aschemann was alive but unspeaking.
Fiction book (2000) -
He felt unspeaking in the face of such beautiful art, unable to find the words to express his emotions.
-
After hearing the tragic news, she remained unspeaking as her friends tried to comfort her.
Synonyms
447
1.0
Not speaking when people expect an answer
45
4.1
Not using speech, often shown by a look or gesture
9
5.8
People who cannot speak or whose opinions others do not hear
7
4.4
Made quiet or unable to speak by something outside
1
6.0
Not using spoken words, for example a silent actor or someone using sign language
1
6.2
Not talking much and often listening to others
1
7.6
Unwilling to talk or answer questions
1
5.7
A way to send messages without using the voice, for example gestures
Not able to speak and only able to whisper
Antonyms
How Silent
Surface Forms
Morphology
unspeaking = speaking (transparent) = un + speak + ing
The word is formed transparently by adding the negative prefix un- to speaking.
Etymology
Unspeaking comes from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and speaking from speak meaning 'to say words'. So it literally means 'not speaking' or staying quiet, which explains why someone can be unspeaking at dinner or in a meeting.