silent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsī-lənt How to pronounce silent (audio)
Definition of silentnext
1
as in speechless
deliberately refraining from speech the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

silent

2 of 2

noun

as in talkie

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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
There is no dramatic farewell; instead, the moment is marked by Singer’s silent anguish. — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 The motor is silent thanks to a vibration-absorber case construction. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
From there, the offense went radio silent. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025 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
  1. mute
  2. reserved
  3. quiet
  4. short
  5. speechless
  6. restrained
  7. hushed
  8. feature
Adjective
  • That column holds three buttons (volume up, volume down, and mute) alongside three indicator lights for Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Gaming Mode.
    — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, their positions are conveyed to us through the media, political elites, and heads of industry who can amplify, mute, or distort them.
    — Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mute
Adjective
  • The formula is closer to reserved + low-energy + emotionally restrained + literal + technocratic + untheatrical + less visionary + less attention-seeking.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Children ages 5 and under may enter for free, but require a reserved ticket.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • The current resurgence of tennis necklaces reflects the rise of quiet luxury and a growing appetite for investment purchasing and dressing.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Jung provides discreet, ever-changing services for powerful clients, solving problems with meticulous planning and quiet efficiency.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of quiet
Noun
  • Acclaimed cinematographers Manuel Alberto Claro (Melancholia) and Benoît Delhomme (The Theory of Everything) are also set to join the film, alongside Mikhail Krichman (Minotaur) who served as DOP on the original short.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
  • See the short’s first teaser and a selection of first-look images below.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of short
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
Definition of speechless
Adjective
  • The formula is closer to reserved + low-energy + emotionally restrained + literal + technocratic + untheatrical + less visionary + less attention-seeking.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The man has been robbed, restrained and bound in Chicago before being taken to Harvey and left there, the news release said.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrained
Adjective
  • The two continued to speak about the homicide in hushed tones, authorities said.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In a hushed environment, the buds' passive isolation is often sufficient.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hushed
Noun
  • At Sessions in April, Stripe announced 288 products and features, including streaming payments that pair Metronome's metering with stablecoin micropayments on Tempo.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Gifting bird's-eye views of London from 138 feet above the River Thames, this permanent feature debuted in 2014 as one of the most unique vantage points in the city.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of feature

Phrases Containing silent

Browse Nearby Words

silencing
silent
silent auction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on silent

Nglish: Translation of silent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All