hushed

American  

[huhsht] / hʌʃt /

adjective

1. (of speech) deliberately quiet, especially when silence is prudent, respectful, or requested.

   Only an occasional whisper could be heard among our hushed voices.

2. (of a place or situation) having a calm silence, often because those in attendance are being respectful or are waiting to hear something: sitting nervously in the hushed courtroom.

   the hushed galleries of a museum;

   sitting nervously in the hushed courtroom.

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Other Word Forms

• hushedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of hushed

First recorded in 1600–10; hush ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Seeing the movie in a hushed theater is ideal; viewing it at home would almost certainly bring in distractions that would dilute the experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

After speaking in a hushed tone, Gamboa testified, Oropeza hung up, turned to Reyna and said, “Go handle that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

Later, in the airport terminal, a slim, silver-haired conference attendee confirmed the snippets of hushed chatter I’d overheard in the Bellagio’s hallways.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Stacie Quigley-Cormier, whose stepdaughter Gabrielle was the youngest member of the cluster, said Marrero always spoke in a hushed tone.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

Penelope’s temper flared, but she kept her voice hushed, as the children were not far off.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• muted