1
as in mute
deliberately refraining from speech
the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dumb
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
a naturally silent boy, he was often overshadowed by his louder siblings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quieted
mostly or entirely without sound
the room was so silent that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in talkie
Related Words
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 silent
Vulture, 24 Jan. 2023
So the various greenhouses and whatnots were familiar to Martha-content enthusiasts as the vans quickly took us past the beautiful part of her property toward the far less handsome back end, where a near-silent feeding frenzy was underway.
—Curbed, 25 Apr. 2022
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 24 June 2025
But a silent threat was brewing—one that went unnoticed for over a decade.
—Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent
Adjective
The Meahers, who own much of the land around Africatown, remain conspicuously off-screen and silent.
—Vulture, 24 Jan. 2023
So the various greenhouses and whatnots were familiar to Martha-content enthusiasts as the vans quickly took us past the beautiful part of her property toward the far less handsome back end, where a near-silent feeding frenzy was underway.
—Curbed, 25 Apr. 2022
Noun
The popular Silent Book Club is seeing people connect through silent reading, while an ever-growing list of celebrity book clubs and even book club podcasts invite readers to find community from anywhere in the world.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 24 June 2025
But a silent threat was brewing—one that went unnoticed for over a decade.
—Susan Horava, Health, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
Adjective
-
Please check back again soon for the recorded video. LIVE VIDEO TO BEGIN AFTER AD Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Use up and down arrows to change volume, and spacebar or enter to toggle mute.—
Dhruv Mehrotra,
Wired News,
25 June 2025
-
Perhaps there was a constructive thought behind the conscious decision to mute clubhouse reminders of that decade-old dynastic run.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
-
Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
And after all of that: a reserved viewing space on Pier 17.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Eastern Conference executive No. 2: More quiet, on the reserved side.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Without it, people go quiet, engagement drops and growth stalls.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Young visitors will enjoy the splash pad and water slide, while guests ages 18 and older are welcome to relax in the quiet adults-only pool and hot tub.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Its madras inventory today includes these seven-inch shorts in a slightly more subdued and earthy pattern and color.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
23 June 2025
-
If the selling slows down, shorts will start covering, and some intrepid longs will wade in.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
The muted response to these modern takes on decades-old classics perhaps explains the move toward reviving properties that resonate with much younger generations instead.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
-
London, on the other hand, has a much more muted outlook.—
Ryan Masiello,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lemon The little black dress of garnishes, at once flirty and restrained.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 June 2025
-
With two monochrome takes on intricate guilloché work the new dial designs come across as more restrained, even with baguette-cut indices.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share