Synonyms of silence

silence 1 of 2

noun

ˈsī-lən(t)s 

1

as in stillness

incapacity for or restraint from speaking

the violinist expects complete silence from the audience during his concerts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stillness
• speechlessness
• muteness
• voicelessness
• inarticulateness
• reticence
• reserve
• taciturnity
• inarticulacy
• reticency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• speaking
• communication
• talking
• eloquence
• fluency
• volubility
• loquacity
• talkativeness
• garrulousness
• loquaciousness
• verbosity
• wordiness
• chattiness
• talkiness
• windiness
• verboseness

2

as in quiet

the near or complete absence of sound

the silence of the garden was refreshing after the din of the party inside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• quietness
• lull
• hush
• stillness
• still
• quietude
• calm
• peace
• tranquility
• peacefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noise
• sound
• chatter
• roar
• clamor
• din
• cacophony
• rattle
• tumult
• hubbub
• unquietness
• racket
• uproar
• blare
• bluster
• clangor
• babel

3

as in obscurity

the quality or state of being mostly or completely unknown

the book eventually vanished into the silence that awaits best sellers whose time has past

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obscurity
• oblivion
• anonymity
• namelessness
• nowhere
• facelessness
• invisibility
• insignificance
• nowheresville
• inconspicuousness
• unpopularity
• invisibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• name
• report
• fame
• reputation
• importance
• celebrity
• significance
• character
• notoriety
• mark
• renown
• favor
• note
• popularity
• honor
• repute
• rep
• glory
• greatness
• position
• distinction
• eminence
• prominence
• standing
• recognition
• praise
• preeminence
• acknowledgment
• prestige
• stature
• rank
• adoration
• illustriousness
• acclaim
• cachet
• superstardom
• megastardom
• kudos
• idolization

silence

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to quiet

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

• quiet
• shush
• hush
• mute
• dumb
• settle
• still
• extinguish
• shut up
• quell
• quieten
• squelch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stir
• agitate

2

as in to suppress

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force

brutally silenced all political dissent in the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suppress
• quell
• subdue
• repress
• quash
• crack down (on)
• squelch
• crush
• stifle
• sit on
• destroy
• overcome
• extinguish
• slap down
• squash
• put down
• clamp down (on)
• snuff (out)
• desolate
• throttle
• ruin
• demolish
• quench
• put out
• obliterate
• wipe out
• smother
• annihilate
• waste
• decimate
• wreck
• dominate
• strangle
• overwhelm
• subjugate
• exterminate
• conquer
• smash
• vanquish
• devastate
• rub out
• douse
• overpower
• nuke

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• help
• support
• assist
• back
• stir
• provoke
• forward
• abet
• encourage
• prop up
• promote
• further
• advance
• incite
• foster
• cultivate
• whip (up)
• nurture
• foment
• instigate
• nourish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of silence

Noun

Unlike city marathons filled with energetic spectators cheering runners on, Antarctica offered only silence and the constant battle to keep moving forward on unstable terrain. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026

When James hit the tying three, the fans wearing the Rockets’ red T-shirts stood in stunned silence. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Verb

How far will this administration go in terms of trying to silence its critics? —Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

Carasso says he won’t be silenced. —Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026