silenced 1 of 2

adjective

as in suppressed

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silenced

2 of 2

verb

past tense of silence
1
as in shushed
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quelled
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force brutally silenced all political dissent in the country

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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 silenced
Adjective
When monitoring wanes and enforcement fades, workers pay the price first in wages and safety, then in silenced voices and must choose between an empty stomach and their rights. — Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The event silenced critics who doubted the practicality of using ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel at sea. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 After being silenced for the first five innings, the Guardians scored seven over the final four innings. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Here, background activities are limited, notifications are silenced, and blue light is lowered to reduce eye strain. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 When the researchers silenced the somatostatin neurons, the mice stopped trying so hard to avoid the threatening odor in their midst. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026 Kyle Tucker silenced a season’s worth of criticism with a 408-foot, two-run homer in the sixth, giving Dodgers breathing room in a 5-3 NLDS Game 1 win over Atlanta. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 What’s worse, the law put the onus on them to ask to be silenced. — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 History was repeating, ancient bonds once damaged in war, silenced, and soothed in the quiet moments after. — Nicky Robertson, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Some have been silenced from even speaking to the media or appearing in public. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silenced
  1. suppressed
  2. shushed
  3. quelled
  4. stifled
  5. quieted
  6. subdued
  7. repressed
  8. muted
Adjective
  • General Manager Ken Holland hinted at potentially being done after trading center Phillip Danault for a draft pick in December and acquiring Panarin at a suppressed price in February, though he has been known to under-promise often and, sometimes, over-deliver.
    — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Supervising sound editor Alastair Sirkett told IndieWire that Peter Claffey’s big, former-rugby-player frame really helps that moment sing with suppressed panic.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of suppressed
Verb
  • They were repeatedly shushed instead as the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3) fell to 13-10 in their marquee event after failing to keep pace with a USC offense that averaged nearly eight yards per play through the first three quarters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
  • As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
    — Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Definition of shushed
Verb
  • The quiet moments of the offseason were eventually quelled by the madness of a young locker room, on a team replete with potential.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ossoff has repeatedly denied interest in a White House bid, but that hasn’t quelled the talk.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of quelled
Adjective
  • Literature, in his view, was a susurrus of stifled screams, a missive from the netherworld of the collective imaginary.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of stifled
Verb
  • It’s been a tumultuous journey but coming to Atlanta this season has been the perfect move for the three-time All-Star, whose accomplishments this year have quieted many of her critics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There was a lot of Honolulu Blue in the lower bowl — Lions fans don’t get to see their team in Charlotte very often — but they had been quieted by the end.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of quieted
Verb
  • Armed and hooded, the gang was waved in by Black and surprised, subdued, and handcuffed the other security guards.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The teenager was subdued by the school's principal and taken into custody, according to Polish news agency PAP.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdued
Adjective
  • Oakley’s spin isn’t one of those gossamer period love stories about repressed emotions — those are there, yes, but the Dashwoods are actively pressing against their station at all times.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Droog takes time to savor his accomplishments while also dealing with years of repressed emotions.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of repressed
Verb
  • Shot on England’s coasts and countryside, the film favors muted costumes, no makeup and quiet, lingering scenes, presenting Austen’s young women as emotionally immediate and recognizably modern.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Looming in the medium-term future is the team’s punishment, which could run from dramatic to muted.
    — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of muted

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silence
silenced
silences
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Cite this Entry

“Silenced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silenced. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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