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 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
Synonyms & Similar 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
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Lexington City officials have told The Star that no one can speak about the incident now that an investigation is underway by the National Transportation Safety Board, which in turn has remained silent while the investigation remains active.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for silent
Adjective
While the city made the request several times, the feds apparently did not provide the information, and then went silent after the April 9 site visit at City Hall.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Lexington City officials have told The Star that no one can speak about the incident now that an investigation is underway by the National Transportation Safety Board, which in turn has remained silent while the investigation remains active.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
Adjective
-
According to his family, Tony was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 and became mute when his larynx had to be removed.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Other buttons include volume rockers, a mute button, Google Assistant, and more.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Who better to go searching for unidentified flying objects than a snobbish TV host and a reserved extraterrestrial enthusiast?—
Geordon Wollner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
There are two color schemes to choose between—a reserved palette featuring navy blue and green for a calm, sophisticated look; and a vibrant rainbow palette for those who enjoy bright, energetic colors.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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
-
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
-
As season three continues, the quiet part is said out loud.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
-
In the rich and frequently chaotic history of Marseille, there can have been fewer more apt demonstrations of the club’s inherent tendency towards turbulence than the decision to head to Rome for some peace and quiet in the same week as the death of the Pope.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a break with tradition, the opening night will world premiere a selection of five shorts rather than a single feature animation.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2025
-
New stories are expected, but excitingly, the teams behind the three most celebrated shorts from the first anthology have had a chance to revisit those worlds and tales, as The Duel, The Village Bride, and The Ninth Jedi are all getting follow-up shorts.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The wooden floors feature graphic patterns, while bold wallpaper sets the tone in the kitchen, and the bedroom is outfitted in calming, muted tones.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The muted pink color combination adds just the perfect pop of color (without being too bright) to an otherwise moody or even neutral palette.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share