The antonyms for "engage in conversation" would be to be disengaged, uncommunicative, inattentive, silent, or unresponsive. These words describe the opposite of actively participating in a conversation, instead showing a lack of interest or inability to engage with others. When someone is disengaged, they have no interest in holding meaningful conversations, and they may ignore or avoid interaction with others. They may also be inattentive or distracted, making it difficult to communicate effectively. In contrast, someone who is communicative and engaged in conversation is an active listener, participating in the exchange of ideas, and contributing to the dialogue.