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
Examples from the Web for silenced Contemporary Examples of silenced When I think of the many rape victims who never come forward, who have been silenced in the same fashion, I am saddened.
Bowman did not immediately report to the police because she felt as though she would be re-victimized and silenced .
The assault on Clinton backfired, but it silenced her for much of the fall campaign.
Last month, the Kremlin silenced many of the last remaining critical news outlets in the country.
“Impossible,” began the other, but was silenced by a sort of bark from Mr. Wilde.
Historical Examples of silenced "Not him, but yourself, brother," said Alexander; and Gilbert was silenced .
To this there was no reply; and they hated her the more for their having been silenced by her shrewdness.
Cooper had a little row with this boarding officer, but was silenced by the captain.
He retired at last, silenced by Nelson's authority, but not convinced.
When the sentence was read, he attempted to speak, but was silenced .
British Dictionary definitions for silenced (of a clergyman) forbidden to preach or perform his clerical functions a silenced priest Show More
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 silenced 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
