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
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
Caren Leven, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2025
Charlie Sway, the fund manager, was an old prep-school friend, who knew that Jaron had an eye for the sleeping dog, an ear for the silent canary.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 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
That stigma kept me silent. October 7 changed my silence.
—Caren Leven, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2025
Charlie Sway, the fund manager, was an old prep-school friend, who knew that Jaron had an eye for the sleeping dog, an ear for the silent canary.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
Adjective
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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
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Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Greyhound assigned seating and conflict There’s not widespread awareness of the policy, and some passengers meet with resistance from others who have settled into reserved seats not assigned to them and are reluctant to give them up.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
5 Aug. 2025
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The school will provided ticketed reserved sections for football and basketball.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The journey proceeds slowly, with few hints of tension and nary a whisper of plot—until a single, wordless commingling of terror and betrayal, in which everything changes, never to be reversed.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
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Retriever Refuses To Get Up in Morning, What Owner Does Goes Viral Sausage Dog Returns From Vet To Find an Unexpected Guest in His Crate Similarly for Roman, the short, wordless moment conveyed a clear message: the visit was over, and Roman was ready for the comfort of his own space.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Out went the restrained décor of previous administrations; in came gilt cherubs, Rococo mirrors, and medallions gleaming with theatrical flair.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
3 Aug. 2025
-
But staying true to her restrained and edited style, Samuel keeps the fun in balance and tops it all with quick-dry cushions in a neutral hue.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Aston Villa have had a quiet summer, which has led to varying opinions on their floor and ceiling.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Thessaloniki, however, pulses with spice-laden markets, waterfront cafés, and Byzantine mosaics tucked into quiet chapels.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Dress Code: Modest swimwear is required, and swimsuits, rash guards and knee-length shorts are allowed.—
Evan Moore
August 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Aug. 2025
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Currents Program 3: Common Ground This shorts program includes Lucas Kane’s Jacob’s House; Karthik Pandian’s Anoka; and Adam Khalil, Jackson Polys, and New Red Order’s Give It Back: Crimes Against Realty.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That failure is symbolized most starkly in the mute dissolution of his own group, formed to help save Chicago from its pension morass but which instead silently acquiesced in making that threat markedly worse.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Split mode gives you separate monitor and mute controls for both inputs.—
Phil Nickinson,
PC Magazine,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That presents her with a new problem — the groom's taciturn best man, Griffin, who will stop at nothing to make sure the wedding happens.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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What looks like a possible suicide is quickly revealed to be something far more sinister, and an investigation kicks off led by taciturn Investigative Services Branch (ISB) agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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