shut up

verb

shut up; shutting up; shuts up

Definition of shut up

transitive verb

: to cause (a person) to stop talking

intransitive verb

: to cease writing or speaking

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about shut up

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Synonyms & Antonyms for shut up

Synonyms

Antonyms

speak,
talk

Examples of shut up in a Sentence

you have no right to tell the rest of us to shut up nothing I said would shut them up

Recent Examples on the Web Frail from advanced age and severe arthritis, among other ailments, Shaw stayed shut up during the pandemic. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, "Grass-roots groups are helping the homebound get vaccines. They’re racing against the clock," 30 Mar. 2021 It’s time for Texas Republicans to put up or shut up. — Alex Briseno, Dallas News, "Plano Republican in Texas House calls secession bill ‘anti-American’," 19 Jan. 2021 Her fate is a living death shut up in a cave, not far from what Winston and John already suffer. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's 'The Island,' two men starved for freedom resist being crushed by apartheid," 3 Mar. 2021 Still, the ability of tech companies, acting in loose coordination, to mostly shut up the world's loudest man is astonishing, and shows the limits of analogies to traditional publishers. — Star Tribune, "Tech titans are using their power well," 12 Jan. 2021 In San Antonio — a purple-to-blue city surrounded by a red-to-very-red state — there was plenty of backlash from fans who wanted Popovich to shut up and coach, or to leave entirely. — Mike Finger, ExpressNews.com, "Mike Finger: Gregg Popovich’s fear is realized," 7 Jan. 2021 Apparently Brady is the one who won’t shut up about it. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, "Eli Manning: Tom Brady still bothered by Super Bowl losses to the Giants," 27 Jan. 2021 If the objectors’ evidence is not convincing, public opinion will force them to shut up. — John Fund, National Review, "Wednesday’s Electoral College Debate: All Eyes on Pence," 3 Jan. 2021 Boys were completely protected, and the girls were just expected to shut up or laugh it off. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "Emerald Fennell Hadn't Seen a True Female Revenge Film—So She Made Promising Young Woman," 24 Dec. 2020

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

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Learn More about shut up

Dictionary Entries near shut up

shut your pie hole

Statistics for shut up

Last Updated

2 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Shut up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut%20up. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.

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