stilled 1 of 2

stilled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of still
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2
3
as in shushed
to stop the noise or speech of the conversation was abruptly stilled by a loud crash from the next room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stilled
Verb
Rebecca’s hands stilled, and the girl stared at her grandmother, wide-eyed. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026 Both the Moody Mansion and the 1892 Bishop’s Palace are museums stilled in time and filled with the marks of late 19th-century splendor. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 My limbs stilled and grew heavy in the heat, but Alice jiggled her knees up and down, bursting out with short spurts of conversation that weighed against the beauty of our silence. — Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 Hostilities were temporarily stilled by a ceasefire, but fighting resumed in early December. — John Vink, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026 Suddenly, the noise in their home stilled. — Ryan Oehrli updated February 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026 Jesus stilled storms, walked on water, challenged evil beliefs, and brought health, harmony, and safety to the world. — Pam Debolt, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2025 After two years, the brutal war that started with Hamas' seizure of hostages and led to Israel's bombardment of Gaza was stilled. — Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 An intense defensive matchup in the boys' semifinals round ended in another sudden-death round that stilled the entire crowd while sending LA's Terron Williams to the finals. — Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stilled
Adjective
  • But like many people who often turn to humor in uncomfortable situations, Iain attempted to make a few jokes, while Holly Revord remained totally silent.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the last stretch of Slam Frank, the show turns serious, as Anne’s silent sister Margot starts talking.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As referees stopped Charlie Adams’ corner kick to separate a pair of players in the box, Adams whispered for Barea to come closer.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Cougars were stopped at the UCF 3 on consecutive drives before Overmyer fumbled at the UCF 7 and into the end zone, recovered by the Knights.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Strangely enough, they can be calmed by conducting mindfulness exercises.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The advance ended a truce that had been in place since 2022 and had calmed a devastating civil war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
    — Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
  • The Giants offense got shushed Wednesday night by Shohei Ohtani, and their hitters went down almost as quietly against right-hander Emmet Sheehan.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • By day, lots of people cross the bridge to visit the hotel’s neighbor, the Moderna Museet, but at night the island is virtually soundless.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The detonation of the bombs brought a terrible wonder, a soundless blast of light and colors never seen before, and never seen again.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Last month, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had prematurely halted the rule, finding that the FCC must issue a decision on the Democratic candidates’ petition for review before the appeals court can get involved.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Last week, prediction markets received a favorable court ruling in Illinois that halted the state from implementing its gambling laws on Kalshi and Coinbase event contracts.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The s and z sounds of cedar scent, soothed, breeze, petals, pads, crossed, shore, and small create a peaceful line of sound that mimics the smooth flow of a river.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • History was repeating, ancient bonds once damaged in war, silenced, and soothed in the quiet moments after.
    — Nicky Robertson, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Kyle Tucker silenced a season’s worth of criticism with a 408-foot, two-run homer in the sixth, giving Dodgers breathing room in a 5-3 NLDS Game 1 win over Atlanta.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • What’s worse, the law put the onus on them to ask to be silenced.
    — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilled. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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