SILENT Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'silent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of silent are reserved , reticent , secretive , and taciturn . While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed. // the strong, silent type

Q: Where would 'reserved' be a reasonable alternative to 'silent'?

Although the words reserved and silent have much in common, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange. // greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

Q: When is 'reticent' a more appropriate choice than 'silent'?

The words reticent and silent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs. // was reticent about his plans

Q: When might 'secretive' be a better fit than 'silent'?

In some situations, the words secretive and silent are roughly equivalent. However, secretive , too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal. // the secretive research and development division

Q: When can 'taciturn' be used instead of 'silent'?

The words taciturn and silent can be used in similar contexts, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability. // taciturn villagers

silent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsī-lənt

Definition of silent next

as in mute

deliberately refraining from speech the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reserved

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) a naturally silent boy, he was often overshadowed by his louder siblings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quieted

mostly or entirely without sound the room was so silent that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

silent

2 of 2

noun

as in talkie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word silent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of silent are reserved, reticent, secretive, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would reserved be a reasonable alternative to silent?

Although the words reserved and silent have much in common, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When is reticent a more appropriate choice than silent?

The words reticent and silent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When might secretive be a better fit than silent?

In some situations, the words secretive and silent are roughly equivalent. However, secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When can taciturn be used instead of silent?

The words taciturn and silent can be used in similar contexts, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of silent

Adjective

Like, for instance, silent movies aren’t very silent. —

Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025 Allen and the Bills’ offensive line will often have to operate with a silent snap count, which was not the case at Highmark Stadium. —

Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

Noun

The Meahers, who own much of the land around Africatown, remain conspicuously off-screen and silent. —

Vulture, 24 Jan. 2023 So the various greenhouses and whatnots were familiar to Martha-content enthusiasts as the vans quickly took us past the beautiful part of her property toward the far less handsome back end, where a near-silent feeding frenzy was underway. —

Curbed, 25 Apr. 2022 See all Example Sentences for silent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent

Adjective

During editing, Michael Bay decided to use Ryan's voice for Bumblebee, who is mute for most of the film but has a few lines at the end.

— Danny Horn, EW.com, 2 Feb. 2025
The right edge of the remote holds a volume rocker and mute button.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 28 Jan. 2025