Make Your Point > Archived Issues > NONCOMMITTAL
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"Why won't she make up her mind?"
"What is he even saying? He's saying nothing."
"They're not doing anything. Do something!"
For frustrations like these, we need the word noncommittal, meaning "expressing no particular opinion or choice of action." Often it's noncommittal looks, shrugs, and statements that drive us crazy, because we prefer speakers to be un____vocal: to be committed to a definite opinion or plan, to leave no room for misinterpretation.
make your point with...
"NONCOMMITTAL"
To commit to an opinion or a decision is to give yourself to it: to make up your mind about that feeling or choice, or to set your heart on it. And if you can't or won't do that, you're being noncommittal.
Noncommittal people and things show no specific opinion or decision.
Pronunciation:
NON kuh MID ull
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a noncommittal thing" or "a noncommittal person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was noncommittal" or "He was noncommittal.")
Other forms:
noncommittally, noncommittalism
How to use it:
This word usually has a negative tone.
Talk about noncommittal things, like a look, someone's eyes or face, a gesture, a grunt, a response, someone's manner, or someone's position.
People, too can be noncommittal, often about something: "Asked about her plans, she was noncommittal." "Publicly, he's been noncommittal about who he'll vote for." "They're noncommittal on that subject."
examples:
Do you stay noncommittal on Facebook about political issues? Or do you dive into the conversation, say what you believe, then wave a carefree bye-bye to those who subsequently unfriend you?
A noncommittal "is that so?" was the politest response I could muster to the stranger's bizarre comments.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "noncommittal" means when you can explain it without saying "neutral" or "evasive."
try it out:
Think of a time you kept your opinion to yourself. Fill in the blanks: "On the topic of (some emotional or controversial thing), I offered only a noncommittal (smile/shrug)."
Example: "On the topic of who acted tackier, I offered only a noncommittal shrug."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What are the 3 anagrams for CONSTRUE?
Answer: COUNTERS, RECOUNTS, and TROUNCES. To trounce people is to punish them or defeat them.
Try this one today: What are the 3 anagrams for PERTNESS?
review today's word:
1. One opposite of NONCOMMITTAL is
A. DECISIVE
B. HEAVY-HANDED
C. UNCOMMUNICATIVE
2. The statement took _____ to an extreme and ended up being noncommittal.
A. diplomacy
B. accuracy
C. detail
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. A
"Why won't she make up her mind?"
"NONCOMMITTAL" To commit to an opinion or a decision is to give yourself to it: to make up your mind about that feeling or choice, or to set your heart on it. And if you can't or won't do that, you're being noncommittal. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Do you stay noncommittal on Facebook about political issues? Or do you dive into the conversation, say what you believe, then wave a carefree bye-bye to those who subsequently unfriend you?
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "noncommittal" means when you can explain it without saying "neutral" or "evasive."
Think of a time you kept your opinion to yourself. Fill in the blanks: "On the topic of (some emotional or controversial thing), I offered only a noncommittal (smile/shrug)."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. One opposite of NONCOMMITTAL is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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