noncommittal
10
7.0
- adjective
- /ˌnɑn.kəˈmɪt.əl/
:
evasivo
- But Mitch remained noncommittal, characteristically weighing it all carefully and keeping most of it to himself.
- remain noncommittal
And when Gore emerged from the meeting, I got to say he was passionately noncommittal.
- And when Gore emerged from the meeting, I got to say he was passionately noncommittal.
- Anything that's very noncommittal or doesn't present a vision for where we're trying to go with this is a man you should not end.
Examples
-
Major contributors were noncommittal when asked... how they felt about Bulworth's anti-business remarks.
-
While most students used words such as "exhilarating," "fun," or "challenging," Marcus contributed a noncommittal grunt.
Academic text (2008) -
The remaining 25 percent did not answer or gave noncommittal answers.
Academic text (1990) -
Like David Souter, Thomas remained noncommittal on many major issues.
Academic text (1991) -
While candidate Clinton had remained noncommittal on the treaty.
Academic text (2005) -
As the two of them began to inspect the contact sheets, they maintained a guardedly noncommittal attitude.
Fiction book (1990) -
Pasternak gave a noncommittal shrug, but he thought Barak was acting strangely.
Fiction book (1993) -
When asked if he would support the new policy, he gave a noncommittal response that left everyone uncertain.
-
She remained noncommittal about her plans for the weekend, saying she might join them or she might stay home.
-
The candidate was noncommittal during the debate, avoiding clear statements on any specific issues.
Synonyms
75
2.9
Not yet sure which option or side to choose
16
4.3
Slow to choose and unsure about what to do
9
4.9
Not promised to a particular plan, person, or cause
A person who has not decided or taken a side
A person who does not say opinions or feelings openly
Antonyms
How Committed
Surface Forms
Morphology
noncommittal = committal (transparent) = non + commit + al
The word is transparently formed by adding the negative prefix 'non-' to 'committal', so the meaning is straightforwardly 'not committal'.
Etymology
Noncommittal combines non- meaning 'not' with commit (seen in commitment) meaning 'to promise' or 'to give your word', so a noncommittal person does not promise anything and avoids taking a clear side.