OpenSynonym

tacit

/ˈtæsɪt/

ADJECTIVE

1. Expressed without words

Communicated or understood without being directly stated, written, or spoken.

1.1. Implicit understanding or agreement

Describes an understanding, agreement, or arrangement that is accepted by people without being formally discussed or explicitly expressed.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The team had a tacit agreement to prioritize collaboration over competition.
  • There was a tacit understanding among friends not to discuss certain sensitive topics.
  • The artist and curator shared a tacit understanding of the exhibition's theme.

Related Words

1.2. Indirect communication or suggestion

Describes something communicated indirectly through hints, gestures, or suggestions rather than through clear and direct statements.

Synonyms

  • implied
  • hinted
  • intimated
  • suggested
  • alluded to
  • indirect

Antonyms

Examples

  • His tacit approval was evident through a nod of understanding during the meeting.

Related Words

1.3. Unspoken or silent communication

Describes communication conveyed through silence, expressions, or nonverbal behavior instead of spoken words.

Synonyms

  • silent
  • wordless
  • unvoiced
  • unspoken

Antonyms

Examples

  • By working silently side by side, they had a tacit agreement to focus on their tasks.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

2. Based on implicit knowledge or induction

Based on knowledge, assumptions, or conclusions that are not derived from formal principles of reasoning, but are understood or inferred.

2.1. Informal or intuitive reasoning

Describes knowledge or understanding that relies on experience, intuition, or implicit assumptions rather than formal logical principles or explicit reasoning.

Synonyms

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