Silence gives consent.
Source: tatoeba (1778)
Silence
/ˈsaɪl(ə)ns/
Synonyms for "silence" (373 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (15)
asphyxiateataraxiaataraxyblow to piecesblow upbluntbottle upbrainbrevitybriefnessbring downbrusquenessburn to death
Noun(2 words)
be quietblack noise
Related words (25)
calmcalmnesscensorchokechoke offclamp down oncomposureconcisenessconfoundconfutecontemplationcontradictcontrovertcorkcork upcrack down on
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: quiet, hush, quietness, secrecy, stillness.
- Sentence evidence is available for silence, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "silence".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "silence"
Keep "silence" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "silence" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "silence", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "silence" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
13 entriesatmosphereconditionconquercontrolexclamationpolicysound propertystamp downstatestatussubduesuppressuncommunicativeness
More specific
12 entriesCollocations
14 entriesabsolute silencebreak the silencecomplete silencedead silencedeafening silencedeep silencein silencepainful silenceperfect silencepregnant silenceprofound silencesilence felltotal silenceunbroken silence
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
6 entriesTranslations
11 translations across 9 languages.
Afrikaans
1 entries- stilswye noun (refraining from speaking)
Bulgarian
1 entries- мълчание noun (refraining from speaking)
Dutch
1 entries- zwijgen noun (refraining from speaking)
Finnish
2 entries- hiljeneminen noun (refraining from speaking)
- vaikeneminen noun (refraining from speaking)
German
1 entries- Schweigen noun (refraining from speaking)
Greek
1 entries- σιωπή noun (refraining from speaking)
Hungarian
2 entries- hallgatni noun (refraining from speaking)
- hallgatás noun (refraining from speaking)
Macedonian
1 entries- мо́лчење noun (refraining from speaking)
Spanish
1 entries- sho noun (refraining from speaking)
Sample sentences
26 total sentences available.
Speech is silver, but silence is golden.
Source: tatoeba (2328)
I take it from your silence that you are not satisfied with my answer.
Source: tatoeba (17713)
The chairperson ordered silence.
Source: tatoeba (19999)
Showing 4 of 26 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "silence"?
Closest matches include quiet, hush, quietness, secrecy, stillness.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "silence"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.