silence

[ sahy-luhns ]

noun

1. absence of any sound or noise; stillness.
2. the state or fact of being silent; muteness.
3. absence or omission of mention, comment, or expressed concern:

   the conspicuous silence of our newspapers on local graft.

4. the state of being forgotten; oblivion:

   in the news again after years of silence.

5. concealment; secrecy.

verb (used with object)

, si·lenced, si·lenc·ing.

1. to put or bring to silence; still.

   Synonyms: gag, muzzle, quell, hush

2. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet.
3. Military. to still (enemy guns), as by more effective fire.

interjection

1. be silent! “Silence!” the teacher shouted.

silence

/ ˈsaɪləns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being silent
2. the absence of sound or noise; stillness
3. refusal or failure to speak, communicate, etc, when expected

   his silence on the subject of their promotion was alarming

4. a period of time without noise
5. oblivion or obscurity

verb

1. to bring to silence
2. to put a stop to; extinguish

   to silence all complaint

Other Words From

• over·silence noun
• un·silenced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (noun), from Old French, from Latin silentium, derivative of silēre “to be quiet”; silent

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin silēntium, from silēre to be quiet. See silent

Example Sentences

No charges were ever filed, but Hegseth did pay an undisclosed sum to the woman, buying her silence.

From Salon

Many said their requests for refunds were met with silence or that refunds were promised but did not happen.

From BBC

There was complete silence as they looked at each other and Dominique Pelicot then held his head in his hands.

From BBC

“It is obvious that the frivolous lawsuit filed against my firm is an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients,” Buzbee wrote in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

When Trump and his crew take the reins again, I expect the machinery of power to run on revenge, to silence those who dissent, to remake this place in a darker image.

From Salon

Related Words

• blackout
• calm
• lull
• peace
• quiet
• reticence
• secrecy
• stillness