quietus

noun

kwī-ˈē-təs How to pronounce quietus (audio)
Definition of quietusnext
1
as in release
a freeing from an obligation or responsibility was granted a quietus on the remainder of the debt in the old man's will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in death
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities her unshakable belief in a blissful afterlife allowed her to meet her quietus without the slightest tinge of fear or regret

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 quietus On the supply side, climate experts give him credit for suspending drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and for giving the final quietus to Keystone. — Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 9 June 2021 If Berryman is playing Cassandra to himself, crying out the details of his own quietus, how did the cry begin? — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quietus
  1. release
  2. death
  3. discharge
  4. fate
  5. demise
  6. doom
  7. passing
Noun
  • Vaughn pleaded no contest to murder in Dallas County in exchange for his release.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Police, in a news release, said he was struck by a vehicle while in the far-right lane, and the driver remained at the scene.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of release
Noun
  • His death ignited anger in a small town where tensions between Black residents and the police have boiled over in recent years.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The public health department’s document also listed a history of stroke and kidney cancer as other significant conditions that contributed to his death, but did not result in the underlying cause of Curry’s death.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of death
Noun
  • Michael still had the hospital discharge papers in his truck.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • During testing, the company’s 210Ah cells ran continuously at 100 percent depth of discharge with minimal capacity loss.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of discharge
Noun
  • Former Boilermakers union members convicted in June of racketeering conspiracy — including ex-International President Newton Jones — will be waiting three more months to learn their fate.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Kohl’s decided in 2016 to close one of its big box stores in Roswell, but no one knew the building’s fate would be stuck in purgatory for the next decade.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fate
Noun
  • The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Syrian civil war that began during that period eventually saw the demise of the Assad regime – Hafez’s son Bashar had continued his father’s hard-line legacy after coming to power in 2000.
    — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of demise
Noun
  • Though nothing about the current situation is ideal, there’s no clear way to hop off without ensuring certain doom at the hands of a large, angry cat.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After a freak accident, Frank the bunny appears in an outstandingly creepy fashion to inform Donnie Darko of the world's impending doom.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of doom
Noun
  • Quarterback Nathaniel Cadet gives Barristers legitimate passing attack.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The passing of Gruber, who served as judge for 24 years until his retirement in 2024, was announced by his son, William Gruber, on Facebook.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of passing

Browse Nearby Words

quietude
quietus
quietuses
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Cite this Entry

“Quietus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quietus. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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