1
as in stopped
to bring (something) to a standstill
it seemed as though nothing could still the fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calmed
to free from distress or disturbance
reading a book helps me to relax and still my mind before going to bed
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
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
The service lasted more than five hours, but the moment that stilled the crowd came when his widow, Erika, spoke of her husband’s killer in the language of absolution.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 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
Verb
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
The service lasted more than five hours, but the moment that stilled the crowd came when his widow, Erika, spoke of her husband’s killer in the language of absolution.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 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
-
Coffin came up with the 1920s backdrop – an era that saw cinema shift from silent films to talkies — and did something the franchise rarely permits — make something personal.
-
The Rangers offense was silent during the beginning of the game, while the defense held together.
Verb
-
Its domestic league stopped playing.
-
Big Oil is not backing away from renewables because the energy transition has stopped.
Verb
-
The vibe in the stadium calmed after a collision between Australia’s Paul Okon-Engstler and the USA’s Freeman that resulted in both players tumbling to the grass holding their heads.
-
Luckily, a couple Nightcaps veterans calmed my nerves.
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.
-
The Giants offense got shushed Wednesday night by Shohei Ohtani, and their hitters went down almost as quietly against right-hander Emmet Sheehan.
Adjective
-
The detonation of the bombs brought a terrible wonder, a soundless blast of light and colors never seen before, and never seen again.
Verb
-
In the end that discussion was halted by Paramount’s superior bid.
-
Just days after the White House confirmed the plans, a Kenyan court temporarily halted the proposal with Kenyan High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi upholding that decision and ordering the Kenyan government to cease all building and operations at the base while the case is resolved.
Verb
-
In your arms, your baby begins to cry and cry and will not be soothed.
-
Hall remembers being at a homegoing service for a youth lost to gun violence – witnessing a room filled with hurt, chaos, young people all over the place, Spencer came in like Casper, the Friendly Ghost – soothed the family and changed the temperature in the room without grabbing the mic.
Verb
-
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics (at least for one game) with a defiant performance against Uzbekistan, which is ranked 58th in the world by FIFA.
-
Davis crafted a marquee lineup that included Springsteen, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jennifer Hudson, The Killers and Paul Simon, but a massive thunderstorm silenced the show before many of the top names could perform.
Cite this Entry
“Stilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stilled. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
