| noun | the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking) “there was a shocked silence” |
| noun | the absence of sound “he needed silence in order to sleep” |
| noun | a refusal to speak when expected “his silence about my contribution was surprising” |
| noun | the trait of keeping things secret |
| verb | cause to be quiet or not talk “Please silence the children in the church!” |
| verb | keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure “All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power” |
| silent | adjective | marked by absence of sound |
| silence | verb | cause to be quiet or not talk |
| quiet | verb | become quiet or quieter |
| mute | adjective | expressed without speech; ; ; - Emily Dickinson; ; ; - Thomas Wolfe |
| secretive | adjective | inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information |
| hush | noun | (poetic) tranquil silence |
| silence | noun | a refusal to speak when expected |
| silencer | noun | short tube attached to the muzzle of a gun that deadens the sound of firing |
| still | noun | (poetic) tranquil silence |