silence

¹si·lence

noun \ˈsī-lən(t)s\

Definition of SILENCE

1

: forbearance from speech or noise : muteness —often used interjectionally

2

: absence of sound or noise : stillness <in the silence of the night>

3

: absence of mention: a : oblivion, obscurity b : secrecy <weapons research was conducted in silence>

Examples of SILENCE

1. I find it hard to sleep unless there is complete silence.
2. The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps in the hallway.
3. We sat there in dead silence.
4. My sister's revelation was met with stunned silence.
5. The professor asked for silence.
6. There was an awkward silence after he confessed his love for her.
7. A long silence followed her reply.
8. We must break 50 years of silence on issues like the government's involvement in assassination and espionage.
9. I will not be intimidated into silence.
10. She finally ended her silence and spoke to the media about what happened.

Origin of SILENCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin silentium, from silent-, silens

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SILENCE

Synonyms: dumbness, muteness, speechlessness, stillness

Antonyms: noise, sound, unquietness

Related Words: inarticulacy, inarticulateness, voicelessness; reserve, reticence, reticency, taciturnity

Near Antonyms: communication, speaking, talking; eloquence, fluency, volubility; chattiness, garrulousness, loquaciousness, loquacity, talkativeness, talkiness; verboseness, verbosity, windiness, wordiness

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