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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
brutally silenced all political dissent in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of silence
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Because silence means accepting things that are not acceptable.
—Justine Murphy, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025
But then Manny kicks her in the stomach, silencing her, and Abby and her friends leave.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silence
Noun
Attendees waited in silence for the service to start, before breaking out in applause as the coffin was brought out in solemn procession from St. Peter’s Basilica just after 10 a.m. (4 a.m. ET).
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Because silence means accepting things that are not acceptable.
—Justine Murphy, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
But Senzatela silenced the Nats after that and finished with 11 outs via groundballs.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025
But then Manny kicks her in the stomach, silencing her, and Abby and her friends leave.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silence
Noun
-
In the quiet of his private room, Trinita shares a painful memory of her past.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Where cost per ton, energy inputs, and integration pathways will decide who wins contracts from Microsoft and Stripe — and who fades into obscurity.—
Phil De Luna,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
While many frontier towns have faded into obscurity, Pray still has its own zip code—59865—thanks to this working government service.—
Colin Burke,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 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
-
The players argue the defendants have suppressed players’ earnings and other professional opportunities.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Weed Management in Walkways Just as cardboard can be used to smother out weeds to prepare soil for planting, it can also be used to suppress weeds that might be tempted to pop up in garden walkways.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
One thing President Trump can’t tariff into oblivion is your favorite Spanish-language content produced in Mexico and imported for U.S. audiences.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Then a call from Reagan — yes, Reagan — threatening to sue all of them into oblivion sends Joe racing to Mooney’s.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Switching between phone and laptop is smooth with multipoint Bluetooth, and ANC hushes office hum without hammering battery life.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The setting is hushed and sun-drenched, with floor-to-ceiling views of the lake and gardens.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The mind games that are typically part of every Miami game were quelled by Vancouver’s fearless play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Those rumors were quelled a bit when Smith was traded for, but Las Vegas might still be making a play to land the star quarterback prospect.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The scientists, who were not authorized to speak publicly, spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Genetic testing has increased, anonymity is gone and caps on the number of families that can use one donor’s gametes are common.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silence. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share