1
as in speechless
deliberately refraining from speech
the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reserved
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
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Recent Examples of silent
Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
As American filmmaking was transitioning from silents to sound in the late 1920s, the industry itself was growing more conservative.
—Hazlitt, 6 Sep. 2023
Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
The first few days of the silent meditation retreat were incredibly uncomfortable.
—Essence, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent
Adjective
Chaplin’s run of silents continued into the talkie era.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
As American filmmaking was transitioning from silents to sound in the late 1920s, the industry itself was growing more conservative.
—Hazlitt, 6 Sep. 2023
Noun
Chronic inflammation is a silent driver of many health issues.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
The first few days of the silent meditation retreat were incredibly uncomfortable.
—Essence, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
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
-
Raised in Iowa and Nebraska, Carson built his career as a host of variety and game shows with an approachable ease, developing a reserved charisma that helped fuel the rise of his show as a gigantically influential program with a massive audience.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Stir in reserved shrimp and sausage.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For much of the film, Tatum’s performance is purely physical, wordless, while Jeffrey is alone, a voice-over providing context and reflection.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Although wordless, the book offers an engaging journey that ends in a delightful surprise—sure to satisfy even the pickiest young critic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
This would make the policy more fiscally restrained but less universal.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Seattle crowd that exploded in the first was quiet.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The three-bedroom property features quintessentially Scandi details like wide plank flooring and high ceilings, and the balcony comes equipped with sofas for quiet coffees in the morning light.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After going for it on fourth-and-short successfully with a direct snap to Hall on a fake punt, the Jets proceeded to … run out the clock with runs, short passes, and by not snapping the ball on fourth down.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Filmed over seven years, this documentary short is a deeply personal East-meets-West story of mutual healing.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The novel immerses the reader in the world of a Carpathian village in the 1970s, where the main character Darusya lives, whom the locals consider mute and mentally retarded due to attacks of headaches, although none of them guesses the true reasons for her behavior and defiance.—
Nelly Klos
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
With a tactical view on mute or turning the volume up.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a brief talk with his stepson Brian (Samuel Bottomley), a taciturn young man with bloodied knuckles, Jem takes off on his motorbike, into a remote but, compared to his dull suburban home, lush and verdant wilderness.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
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Todd's second-ever screen role foretold his future prominence, as the taciturn Sgt.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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