Unrevealing

Describing something that does not provide or disclose information, secrets, or facts; lacking in transparency or openness. It can refer to actions, statements, objects, or situations that obscure or conceal rather than reveal. The term implies a withholding of information, whether intentionally or unintentionally, leaving the subject matter ambiguous or unclear. It suggests a lack of clarity and insight, making it difficult to understand the true nature or meaning of something. This can be deliberate, as in keeping a secret, or unintentional, due to a lack of detail or context. Often, something described as unrevealing creates a sense of mystery or incompleteness. It does not enlighten or inform, instead leaving the recipient in the dark, questioning, and with unanswered questions.

Unrevealing meaning with examples

• The detective found the suspect's alibi, while detailed in its description of the day's events, ultimately remained unrevealing about the core mystery of who committed the crime. Witnesses gave contradictory statements, painting a chaotic and unrevealing picture of the events leading up to the incident, obscuring rather than clarifying the truth. Every answer seemed to raise more questions.
• The artist's early paintings were surprisingly unrevealing, featuring abstract shapes and colors devoid of any clear narrative or symbolic meaning. Critics struggled to interpret the artist's intent, as the works' ambiguity gave nothing away, leaving viewers confused. The lack of explicit references to the artist's personal life made the work feel inaccessible.
• The ambassador's press conference was deliberately unrevealing, offering only vague generalities and avoiding any specific details about the ongoing negotiations. The journalist felt like the answers gave nothing concrete to write about. The lack of new information frustrated reporters, leaving them hungry for specifics regarding the deal that was being done.
• Despite hours of analysis, the data collected from the scientific study remained frustratingly unrevealing, offering no significant correlations or insights into the underlying phenomenon. The raw data lacked any discernible patterns or trends. Researchers grappled to make any conclusions at all from the mountain of numbers.