hush

verb

\ ˈhəsh

hushed; hushing; hushes

Definition of hush

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : calm, quiet hushed the children as they entered the library

2 : to put at rest : mollify

3 : to keep from public knowledge : suppress hush the story up

intransitive verb

: to become quiet

hush

adjective

Definition of hush (Entry 2 of 3)

1 archaic : silent, still

2 : intended to prevent the dissemination of certain information hush money

hush

noun

Definition of hush (Entry 3 of 3)

: a silence or calm especially following noise : quiet

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hush

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Examples of hush in a Sentence

Verb

The woman in the seat behind me was trying to hush her baby. The judge hushed the spectators. The spectators hushed as the judge entered the courtroom.

Noun

the storm passed, and a hush fell over the sea a hush fell over the auditorium as the lights went down

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Mimi is upbeat without being too perky, her voice soothing without being preciously hushed. — Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "24 hours at Pechanga: Gambling, eating, pampering and yoga," 29 Apr. 2018 Due to Andreessen Horowitz’s big profile, the rule has been frequently criticized in hushed tones in Silicon Valley by diversity advocates as an example of the types of hurdles that women and minorities face professionally. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "Silicon Valley needs to figure out how to promote women and people of color. Andreessen Horowitz is doing that by changing one of its founding rules.," 17 July 2018 The roar from the crowd at Pimlico Race Course was delayed, hushed by the thick fog that enveloped the track. — Stephen Whyno, BostonGlobe.com, "Clear sailing for Justify in Preakness win; Triple Crown in sight," 20 May 2018 Cohen, of course, pleaded guilty last week to bank fraud, tax evasion and campaign finance violations related to hush money payments to two women making accusations against Trump. — Howard Kurtz, Fox News, "Why CNN is standing by a Michael Cohen story that his lawyer calls false," 29 Aug. 2018 Giuliani Becomes Latest Lawyer to Make the President's Life a Living Nightmare Getty Images Rudy Giuliani said that the president absolutely paid Michael Cohen back for giving Stormy Daniels hush money. — Luke Darby, GQ, "Giuliani Becomes Latest Lawyer to Make the President's Life a Living Nightmare," 3 May 2018 But this glassy and hushed restaurant that opened last year offers an organic enclave amid the asphalt and concrete. — New York Times, "36 Hours in Bangkok," 15 Feb. 2018 And pass them along to their friends with hushed admiration and excitement for everything the mysterious Ferrante (whose real identity is — at least officially — a secret) accomplished? — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "HBO’s My Brilliant Friend adaptation is a knockout," 18 Nov. 2018 In a separate case, the Manhattan district attorney’s office in New York City is reportedly considering pushing criminal charges against the Trump Organization and two senior officials at the company over the Daniels hush money payment. — John Roberts, Fox News, "Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg granted immunity in Michael Cohen case," 24 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In particular, the Justice Department says the hush money payments were unreported campaign contributions meant to influence the outcome of the election. — Hope Yen, The Seattle Times, "AP FACT CHECK: Trump claims innocence in probe; wall myths," 7 Jan. 2019 Don't worry, royal fans, not all of Meghan's events will be hush-hush. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attended a Private Board Meeting for the Queen's Commonwealth Trust," 12 Dec. 2018 Still, the culture surrounding plastic surgery remains hush-hush. — Elissa Strauss, Glamour, "The Changing Face of Beauty In America," 8 Oct. 2018 Hooters itself is surprisingly hush-hush about the uniform at the center of its business plan. — Vox, "Hooters is closing restaurants. Is its offensive uniform to blame?," 4 Oct. 2018 The primary cast members are all set to return, but the plot remains very hush-hush. — Fox News, "Michelle Dockery shares photo from set of 'Downton Abbey' movie," 12 Sep. 2018 Then there are the stunning visual effects which, thanks to a #KeepTheSecrets movement imploring audience members not post details on social media, have largely stayed hush-hush. — Maeve Mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Hanging with Harry, Hermione and Ron as 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' hits Broadway," 17 Apr. 2018 At the same time, the White House issued blanket denials when asked about a hush payment to Ms. Clifford and directed questions to Mr. Cohen, who had called the deal a private transaction between himself and the former adult-film star. — Michael Rothfeld, WSJ, "Trump Directed Legal Action to Enforce Stormy Daniels’s Hush Agreement," 2 Oct. 2018 Historically, the Fed has gone to great lengths to be hush-hush. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "How can Fed make investors uncertain? U-M professor says it's obvious," 22 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Most significantly, his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, has implicated Trump in a crime by linking him to a hush-money scheme. — Eric Tucker, The Seattle Times, "AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s untruths on Russia probe, wall, jobs," 6 Feb. 2019 Don't worry, royal fans, not all of Meghan's events will be hush-hush. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attended a Private Board Meeting for the Queen's Commonwealth Trust," 12 Dec. 2018 Federal prosecutors in New York have implicated Trump in a crime, linking him to the hush-money scheme. — Hope Yen, The Seattle Times, "AP FACT CHECK: Trump claims innocence in probe; wall myths," 7 Jan. 2019 On Thursday, the White House referred questions about Mr. Trump’s involvement in the hush deals to the president’s outside counsel Jay Sekulow, who declined to comment. — Rebecca Ballhaus, WSJ, "Donald Trump Played Central Role in Hush Payoffs to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal," 9 Nov. 2018 Panmunjom remains a lonely, uninviting spot with the hush of a graveyard. — Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, "At Korean summit in DMZ, ‘deranged’ ax murders still cast a shadow," 26 Apr. 2018 Trump has denied the affair allegations but acknowledges a hush-money payment was made. — Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "Michael Avenatti ordered by judge to hand over $4.85 million in back pay to attorney at his former law firm," 23 Oct. 2018 Daniels in March sued Trump and Essential Consultants, Cohen’s shell company, claiming the hush agreement is void because Trump never signed it. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Michael Cohen wants to scrap the Stormy Daniels NDA," 8 Sep. 2018 Then Ness comes over and speaks to him semiprivately, voice a hush. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Kimbal Musk Is Reinventing Food One Shipping Container at a Time," 24 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hush.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.