What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incommunicative
Example
The new employee was very incommunicative during the meeting. [incommunicative: adjective]
Example
She became incommunicative after the argument and refused to speak to anyone. [incommunicative: adjective]
reticent
Example
He was reticent about his past and did not like to talk about it. [reticent: adjective]
Example
She was reticent at first, but eventually opened up to her new friends. [reticent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reticent is more commonly used than incommunicative in everyday language. Reticent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incommunicative is less common and may be considered more formal or technical.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incommunicative and reticent?
Incommunicative is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while reticent is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.