Synonyms of clam up

clam up

verb

as in to hush

to stop talking

the little girl clammed up when the doctor came into the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hush
• dry up
• quiet (down)
• shut up
• settle (down)
• dummy up
• pipe down
• cool (down)
• calm (down)
• belt up
• hold one's tongue
• hem
• haw

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• speak
• talk
• speak out
• speak up
• spout (off)
• talk up
• sound off
• pipe up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clam up

Everyone in the theater clammed up, as if embarrassed to have endorsed Max with laughter. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026

Your language model would clam up from time to time to conserve its resources. — Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026

Less sweat-trapping than many synthetic jackets, the Oreus kept me from clamming up while ski-touring in five-degree temps and dissipated sweat quickly when worn after strenuous climbs. — Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026

But when co-host Maria McErlane looked for details, Norton clammed up. — Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026