silent majority

American  

noun

1. the U.S. citizens who supported President Nixon's policies but who were not politically vocal, outspoken, or active: considered by him to constitute a majority.

2. any group of people who are not outspoken and who are considered to constitute a majority.

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silent majority British  

noun

1. a presumed moderate majority of the citizens who are too passive to make their views known

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silent majority Cultural  

1. A term used by President Richard Nixon to indicate his belief that the great body of Americans supported his policies and that those who demonstrated against the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War amounted to only a noisy minority.

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silent majority Idioms  

1. A group that makes up a majority of voters but does not widely express its views through marches or demonstrations. For example, They thought they had a convincing case, but they hadn't counted on the silent majority. This idiom was first recorded in 1874 but gained currency in the 1960s, when President Richard Nixon claimed that his policies were supported by a majority of citizens who did not bother to make their views known.

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Etymology

Origin of silent majority

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

"The time has come for a silent majority to say something against rather dangerous, violent tendencies," rights activist and protest organiser Vedrana Bibic said ahead of the rally.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

However, scientists say challenges in identifying them have led to them becoming a silent majority that is currently being overlooked when it comes to global ocean policy.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2024

“We don’t need a decent, silent majority — we need a clear and loud majority that stands up now, and not later,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2023

He was addressing the war on Vietnam and called on the "silent majority" to support him and his "secret plan" for peace.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2023

We’ve misrepresented the silent majority on both sides.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey