1
as in shushes
to stop the noise or speech of
the instructor quickly silenced anyone who tried to interrupt we need to have a repairman come and silence that door alarm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in suppresses
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
brutally silenced all political dissent in the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of silences
Preclinical research shows long-term estrogen deprivation epigenetically silences BDNF in the hippocampus, blunting the brain’s response to exercise over time.
—
Torie Bosch, STAT, 2 May 2026
This erosion of consistency silences our voices and creates a deep distrust in our electoral system.
—Kathy Schmitz, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Allison’s chilling prophecy about Kyle silences the table, quickly shifting the mood.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
There are high hopes for US biotech company Scribe Therapeutics' STX-1150 treatment, which epigenetically silences the PCSK9 gene in the liver to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2026
In Cuba, where vibrant streets hide daily struggles, the government silences its people and spreads trouble worldwide.
—Markus Wiechel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Cutting them off not only silences crucial perspectives but also creates a long-term deficit in institutional knowledge, breaking the chain of skills that develops as employees grow within a company.
—Frank Nagle, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
Someone on her team silences the chatter like a classroom teacher and urges everyone to search.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Strong, steady performance silences speculation better than any defense.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Torie Bosch, STAT, 2 May 2026
This erosion of consistency silences our voices and creates a deep distrust in our electoral system.
—Kathy Schmitz, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Allison’s chilling prophecy about Kyle silences the table, quickly shifting the mood.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
There are high hopes for US biotech company Scribe Therapeutics' STX-1150 treatment, which epigenetically silences the PCSK9 gene in the liver to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2026
In Cuba, where vibrant streets hide daily struggles, the government silences its people and spreads trouble worldwide.
—Markus Wiechel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Cutting them off not only silences crucial perspectives but also creates a long-term deficit in institutional knowledge, breaking the chain of skills that develops as employees grow within a company.
—Frank Nagle, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
Someone on her team silences the chatter like a classroom teacher and urges everyone to search.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Strong, steady performance silences speculation better than any defense.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silences
Verb
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Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a night shift suppresses melatonin and enhances alertness.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
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Bright light in the 2,500-10,000 lux range during the first six hours of a shift suppresses melatonin and sharpens alertness.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Canned water chestnuts are blanched before packing, which mutes their flavor slightly but preserves their crispness.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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Robinson is the favorite to start, which would mean Towns sliding over to power forward, which mutes some of his offensive superpowers.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One way Recover quells concerns is through proof-of-concept collections with supply chain partners.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
-
While the presumption was always that Messi would renew with the Herons, the news quells any lingering anxiety.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stress lights up the brain’s threat circuits in the amygdala and quiets the prefrontal cortex — the region responsible for reasoning and self-control.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
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In simpler terms, magnesium glycinate quiets excitatory brain signals, helps your body shift into sleep mode and reduces the stress hormones that keep you wired at night.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
Royd subdues and binds her before taking off to restore the power.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Autumn hushes the Codrii forest, where mushrooms push through damp soil and the air smells of woodsmoke and moss.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Trying to eliminate one side inevitably represses part of our own nature.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Venturella’s appointment comes as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin settles into his role atop the Cabinet agency overseeing ICE.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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There will be both winners and losers when the dust settles.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silences. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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