1
as in speechless
deliberately refraining from speech
the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in quieted
mostly or entirely without sound
the room was so silent that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in talkie
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of silent
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Boles started his Hollywood career in the silents, but became a big star in the talkies.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for silent
Adjective
There have been more than 25 years of continuous human occupation aboard the ISS alongside the silent sweep of thousands of satellites.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Meanwhile the Sierra Madre Playhouse, built for the silents, has become the L.A. area’s newest performing arts center, where Wild Up will be in residence.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Boles started his Hollywood career in the silents, but became a big star in the talkies.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
Adjective
-
His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
Adjective
-
May is the most reserved of the four coaches, but lets his players get emotional on the court without trying to rein them in, trusting them to play under control.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When the first hook comes back around after Earl’s slinky verse, Niontay’s staccato punchlines lose all shape and melt into a putty of wordless, gurgling melody.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
-
There may be fewer scenes in the Causeway oeuvre more chilling than a wordless opening when Kori (Emily Browning) gives a contemptuous once-over to the pile of greasy food in front of her at a pub while her boyfriend Nick (Jai Courtney) is fetching some pints.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even within a restrained palette, a strong silhouette can shift the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Ashe is a rocket ship that can’t be reined in, and watching the restrained, comparably rational Coop try to lasso him is reliably entertaining.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Aside from some quiet complaints about the NCAA’s COVID-19 protocols for people sitting around the court, no one offered anything other than positive reviews.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Despite her difficult start, Kaiko has since been recovering in her new home, with the viral video capturing a quiet but significant milestone—her first night sleeping indoors.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Through a dozen feature films and one local short, the festival’s films invite audiences to reflect on resilience, identity and powerful storytelling in the face of adversity, according to Giovanna Torres, founder of Cine Casual.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 6-minute short is produced by Canadian–British producer-director and widow of Williams, Imogen Sutton.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This fantasy chat plays out in all its white cluelessness as the sitcom rewinds and repeats on mute.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But for now, the best bet remains intricately established mute filters and prayer.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mueller’s stern visage and taciturn demeanor matched the seriousness of the mission, as his team spent nearly two years quietly conducting one of the most consequential, yet divisive, investigations in Justice Department history.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Think Rambo but even more taciturn.—
Liam Denning,
Bloomberg,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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