1
as in stillness
incapacity for or restraint from speaking
the violinist expects complete silence from the audience during his concerts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiet
the near or complete absence of sound
the silence of the garden was refreshing after the din of the party inside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscurity
the quality or state of being mostly or completely unknown
the book eventually vanished into the silence that awaits best sellers whose time has past
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to quiet
to stop the noise or speech of
the instructor quickly silenced anyone who tried to interrupt we need to have a repairman come and silence that door alarm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
brutally silenced all political dissent in the country
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of silence
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
These actions, along with Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, silence universities, and punish law firms will strengthen the GOP’s control over our nation’s narratives, eliminate perspectives that challenge white supremacy, and reinforce a singular, exclusionary worldview.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Growing frustrated in her creative block, Lola screams from the rooftop in one scene, completely silenced by the waves.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silence
Noun
Tom Cruise led CinemaCon 2025 attendees in Las Vegas in a moment of silence to remember Val Kilmer, who died at 65 on April 1.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
These actions, along with Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, silence universities, and punish law firms will strengthen the GOP’s control over our nation’s narratives, eliminate perspectives that challenge white supremacy, and reinforce a singular, exclusionary worldview.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
And what does the Buddha say about silencing your girlfriend’s calls?
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Growing frustrated in her creative block, Lola screams from the rooftop in one scene, completely silenced by the waves.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silence
Noun
-
The final horn sounded, mercifully, the players shook hands, and the Aztecs shuffled off the floor, through a tunnel and into the quiet of their locker room, their season ending with a whimper instead of a bang.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Ting Su; 2024; USA; 10 min Digitizing union newspapers in the quiet of a dark room, a filmmaker reflects on their relationship to labor. David (for now) | Dir.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But af Klint might have just as easily faded into obscurity, her work forgotten, her spiritual messages dismissed as a crank’s.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Content demonstrating clear expertise and authority • Fast-loading pages without intrusive pop-ups or restricted access Websites meeting these criteria are far more likely to capture AI's attention, while those that don't risk fading into obscurity.—
Guy Leon Sheetrit,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
One day at the Scottish Open, a volunteer held up the quiet sign and shushed the crowd as Morikawa prepared to hit from the fairway.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Fathers shushed babbling toddlers as their wives snuck out to change infants’ diapers.—
Carlos Nogueras Ramos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The new, later Equal Pay Day marks a troubling reminder of how systemic barriers—ranging from occupational segregation to discrimination in hiring and promotion—continue to suppress the earning power of Black women.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Leaders today calendar themselves into oblivion, squeezing out meaningful human interaction.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Unlike the new black-and-white image, Trump’s first portrait was in color, featuring the First Lady—face airbrushed into oblivion—wide-eyed, smiling with a hint of teeth, her arms crossed to display a massive diamond wedding ring.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Golden State Warriors have extended a final chapter for their dynastic journey, while the Dallas Mavericks are hushing away fake mourners and apoplectic fans.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Standing on the boardwalk near the spring boil, visitors of all ages made remarks of awe and wonder while keeping their voices hushed in a show of reverence for nature’s wonder.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rubio sought to quell anxieties among his European counterparts as Trump’s tariffs take effect, the president mulls withdrawing from NATO altogether and U.S. support for Ukraine hangs in the balance.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
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Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs.—
Victoria Kim,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sources who also endured the trauma of that night have spoken to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity to protect their relationships and future jobs.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Those staff members have been furloughed until later in the year, the state of their future contracts unclear, according to a NOAA staffer speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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