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Definitions

silence

[sahy-luhns] / ˈsaɪ ləns /
NOUN
absence of sound, speech
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blackout calm lull peace quiet reticence secrecy stillness
STRONG
censorship death dumbness hush laconism muteness noiselessness quiescence quietness quietude reserve sleep speechlessness still sulk sullenness taciturnity uncommunicativeness
WEAK
dead air hush-hush inarticulateness iron curtain saturninity
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitation
WEAK
clamor communication noise talk
VERB
make or be quiet
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cut off gag muffle mute muzzle quash quell squelch stifle subdue suppress
STRONG
clam dampen deaden dull extinguish hush lull overawe quiet quieten shush soft pedal still tongue-tie
WEAK
choke off clam up close up cool it cut short decrease the volume dry up dumb dummy up hold one's tongue hush one's mouth hush-hush keep it down pipe down quiet down say nothing shut up sit on strike dumb
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow encourage help let go permit release start
WEAK
be noisy communicate talk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She added the family had maintained a dignified silence for almost nine years, but the frustration of seeing him driving around their local community had led them to speak out now.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Here the road becomes a boundary between different ways of moving through — and loving — the same landscape: speed and stillness, noise and silence, crowds and solitude.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

For weeks after getting her phone, Elsie would call friends only to sit in agonizing silence, not knowing what to say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Even so, drawing in local figures has helped to break the "spiral of silence" some Fidesz-dominated rural communities, where opposition supporters previously felt isolated or reluctant to express their views, Zsiga added.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

There was a split second of silence, and then Rosa burst out laughing.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler