English noun: silence | |||
1. | silence (state) the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking) | ||
Samples | There was a shocked silence. He gestured for silence. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | condition, status | ||
2. | silence (attribute) the absence of sound | ||
Samples | He needed silence in order to sleep. The street was quiet. | ||
Synonyms | quiet | ||
Broader (hypernym) | sound property | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | hush, quietness, soundlessness, speechlessness, still, stillness | ||
Antonyms | sound | ||
3. | silence (attribute) a refusal to speak when expected | ||
Samples | His silence about my contribution was surprising. | ||
Synonyms | muteness | ||
Broader (hypernym) | uncommunicativeness | ||
4. | silence (attribute) the trait of keeping things secret | ||
Synonyms | secrecy, secretiveness | ||
Broader (hypernym) | uncommunicativeness | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | mum | ||
English verb: silence | |||
1. | silence (change) cause to be quiet or not talk | ||
Samples | Please silence the children in the church!. | ||
Synonyms | hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, still | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | conquer, curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | calm down, gag, lull, muzzle, shout down, shush | ||
Cause | hush | ||
Verb group | hush, pipe down, quiesce, quiet, quiet down, quieten | ||
Antonyms | louden | ||
2. | silence (change) keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure | ||
Samples | All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | conquer, curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress | ||