quieten
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(often foll by down) to make or become calm, silent, etc; pacify or become peaceful
-
(tr) to allay (fear, doubts, etc)
Other Word Forms
- quietener noun
Etymology
Origin of quieten
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be speaking every day. You should just let things quieten down,” Macron said on Thursday.
From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026
News site Mashable said the game could also quieten critics of Nintendo's Switch 2, which has faced accusations of a lack of must-buy exclusives since its launch last year.
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026
Martin Zubimendi's long-range drive just before half-time settled the nerves of the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium before Viktor Gyokeres struck twice to quieten his critics.
From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026
The umpire had to repeatedly call for spectators to quieten down as they tried, unsuccessfully, to will Eala to victory.
From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026
Desperate to quieten Wolf, Torak pretended to spot some distant prey, by standing very still and staring intently.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.