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.

In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Easter Sunday, the holiday overshadowed by the war.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

They meet online, discuss what they need to accomplish, work in silence and reconvene to review what they got done.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Thus, the state “seeks to silence a viewpoint she wishes to express.”

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Actor Mickey Rourke has broken his silence on the alleged “unacceptable” living conditions that prompted him to withhold over $59,000 in rent after he defaulted in his eviction case.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

I suddenly felt very guarded, but his silence also rankled me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

silence

Example Sentences

Related Words