1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
he remained speechless, even in the face of outrageous accusations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mute
unable to speak
if only this poor, speechless animal could tell us what's wrong with it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speechless
My sister immediately gave me a bearhug and my mama was legitimately speechless, but the most powerful reaction came from my father.
—
James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 29 July 2022
Jose was nearly speechless as he was handed the microphone to say a few words.
—Olivia Lloyd, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2022
Mobile Christian baseball coach Talley Haines was nearly speechless when asked Tuesday night to recap Game 1 of the Class 4A state championship series.
—Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 17 May 2022
Moments later, Will, 53, walked onstage and struck Chris, who was initially speechless.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 5 Apr. 2022
See All Example Sentences for speechless
James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 29 July 2022
Jose was nearly speechless as he was handed the microphone to say a few words.
—Olivia Lloyd, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2022
Mobile Christian baseball coach Talley Haines was nearly speechless when asked Tuesday night to recap Game 1 of the Class 4A state championship series.
—Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 17 May 2022
Moments later, Will, 53, walked onstage and struck Chris, who was initially speechless.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 5 Apr. 2022
See All Example Sentences for speechless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speechless
Adjective
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While current work on the development is silent, crews are only waiting for county permits to build, the developer said.—
Larry Seward,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In Fennell’s version, Cathy’s brother is dead by the time her father brings home a selectively mute boy, whom Cathy chooses to name Heathcliff after her deceased brother.—
Becky Little,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Complicating matters is the fact that Maddie is deaf and mute, forcing her to utilize her other senses to stop the killer from claiming her as his next victim.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After years of muted activity at the midseason, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas kickstarted a flurry of activity Tuesday — first cementing a three-team trade to acquire Jaden Ivey from Detroit, then offloading Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Recreate the look in a similar muted color scheme, like allover cloudy white, or play around with vivid color combinations like Miami teal and head-to-toe pinks.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speechless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speechless. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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