Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for silence on Thesaurus.com absence of any sound or noise; stillness. the state or fact of being silent ; muteness. absence or omission of mention, comment, or expressed concern: the conspicuous silence of our newspapers on local graft. the state of being forgotten; oblivion: in the news again after years of silence. concealment; secrecy. Show More
verb (used with object), si·lenced, si·lenc·ing. to put or bring to silence; still. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet. Military to still (enemy guns), as by more effective fire. Show More
be silent! “Silence!” the teacher shouted. Show More
Origin of silence 1175–1225; Middle English (noun) <
Old French <
Latin silentium. See
silent ,
-ence Related forms o·ver·si·lence , noun un·si·lenced , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for silence peace ,
quiet ,
reticence ,
stillness ,
lull ,
secrecy ,
blackout ,
calm ,
muzzle ,
subdue ,
mute ,
muffle ,
gag ,
quell ,
quash ,
suppress ,
squelch ,
stifle ,
taciturnity ,
quietude Examples from the Web for silence Contemporary Examples of silence If so, he has his silence -- on top of poor judgment -- to blame.
Jay is hard to empathize with and his silence suggests that, yeah, something is up.
“Do not use complaints, courts and lawyers to beat and to silence the enemy,” the NOA activists wrote.
The families announced along with it that they had entered a “phase of silence ” surrounding the details of the new deal.
These are men who now have wives and children, and their silence so many years later shows how morally bankrupt they remain.
Historical Examples of silence The silence remained unbroken, until Paralus asked for music.
Eudora persevered in silence , but her agitation obviously increased.
He was busy almost half an hour, while Uncle Peter smoked in silence .
Each instinctively touched the other's arm, as a signal for silence .
Robert pointed in silence to the huge rock which lay on the track.
British Dictionary definitions for silence the state or quality of being silent the absence of sound or noise; stillness refusal or failure to speak, communicate, etc, when expected his silence on the subject of their promotion was alarming a period of time without noise oblivion or obscurity Show More
to bring to silence to put a stop to; extinguish to silence all complaint Show More
Word Origin for silence C13: via Old French from Latin silēntium, from silēre to be quiet. See silent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for silence n. c.1200, "muteness, state of being silent," from Old French silence "state of being silent; absence of sound," from Latin silentium "a being silent," from silens , present participle of silere "be quiet or still," of unknown origin. Meaning "absence of sound" in English is from late 14c.
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v. 1560s, intransitive, "become still or silent;" 1590s, transitive, "make silent," from silence (n.). Related: Silenced ; silencing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
