Meaning

The absence of any sound..

Definitions by Sense

1. The absence of any sound.
2. The act of refraining from speaking.
3. Refraining from speaking, for purposes of prayer or meditation; especially, a form of worship practiced by the Society of Friends (Quakers) during meetings.
4. (transitive) To make (someone or something) silent.
5. (transitive) To repress the expression of something.
6. (transitive) To suppress criticism, etc.
7. (molecular biology) To block gene expression.
8. (euphemistic) To murder.

Example Sentences

When the motor stopped, the silence was almost deafening.

deadly silence

in silence

total silence

Words like violence break the silence / Come crashing in into my little world

"You have the right to silence," said the police officer.

1832, Daniel Webster, "a convention", quoted in The History of the Union, and of the Constitution by Charles Chauncey Burr The administration itself keeps a profound silence.

Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.

Word Forms

• silences
• silencing
• silenced

Synonyms for silence

Antonyms for silence

Related Words

When Should You Use Silence?

Use silence when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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