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
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Recent Examples of silence
New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
For King, supporting Jews did not require silence about Arab suffering.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.
—Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silence
Noun
After two decades touring museums and design exhibitions and another of silence, the Markies project reemerged in 2021, and plans for a production model launch followed in 2022.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
For King, supporting Jews did not require silence about Arab suffering.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Constitutional right to silence this morning before @RepJamesComer and the House Oversight Committee.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.
—Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for silence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silence
Noun
-
The cold stillness felt temporary — as if the growers would return at any moment to prop up the crumpled tents, replant their crop and fling more beer cans and dirty underwear into the woods.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
There where the long street roars, hath been The stillness of the central sea.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When the crashing stopped, an eerie quiet fell over the highway.—
Nichole Manna,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Since the departure of National Guardsmen from the state, there has been an uneasy quiet in Portland.—
James Ross Gardner,
New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mike, who has been half-pining for Daisy in obscurity this whole time, tries to kiss her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Since then, Elizabeth has been as important to Copeland’s professional life as his personal life, co-founding a children’s theater school with him, arranging his music, and supporting him as he was launched from obscurity.—
Matthew Blackwell,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2025, a judge concluded that Vedam had not been given a fair trial due to prosecutors’ efforts to suppress evidence.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both brothers were intellectually precocious, but Scott could be shy to the point of speechlessness.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There, many of Cale’s pet fascinations, like the precariousness of memory and the lacuna between yourself and other people, opened themselves up with a lovely quietness.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Not with the quietness of a disease already in her brain; not drugged and almost constantly sleeping.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Conservatives, staring at electoral oblivion, hastily followed suit, pledging to repeal the Climate Change Act.—
Bjorn Lomborg,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
My love, there is no oblivion, no dream.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silence. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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