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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word silent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of silent are reserved, reticent, secretive, and taciturn. While all these words mean "showing restraint in speaking," silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

Where would reserved be a reasonable alternative to silent?

Although the words reserved and silent have much in common, reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

When is reticent a more appropriate choice than silent?

The words reticent and silent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

When might secretive be a better fit than silent?

In some situations, the words secretive and silent are roughly equivalent. However, secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

When can taciturn be used instead of silent?

The words taciturn and silent can be used in similar contexts, but taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

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 silent
Adjective
The action button also allows users to switch between ring and silent notification modes and activate Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, Magnifier and Shazam. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Davis uses the form of early silent movies to evocative and economic effect. Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Meahers, who own much of the land around Africatown, remain conspicuously off-screen and silent. Vulture, 24 Jan. 2023 So the various greenhouses and whatnots were familiar to Martha-content enthusiasts as the vans quickly took us past the beautiful part of her property toward the far less handsome back end, where a near-silent feeding frenzy was underway. Curbed, 25 Apr. 2022 See All Example Sentences for silent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent
Adjective
  • Which are, of course, typically mute within fashion exhibitions.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Rumors about the couple dating began to surface in 2024 prior to the Paris Olympic games but both athletes have been mute about the status of their relationship until now.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Universities and businesses can collaborate with property management companies to offer housing stipends or reserved spots for international students.
    Botir Nasridinov, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.
    Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023
  • Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • The Holmdel building was the next step, a gleaming, impeccable prism meant to contain thousands of scientists in splendid quiet isolation.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 27 Feb. 2025
  • So rather than maintain the quiet, peaceful sleep environment any young child needs, her daughter found her serenity disrupted by the sound of her mom crashing to the floor having tried to sit on a chair that simply wasn't there.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • His figurine was outfitted in shorts and a backward baseball cap, with a hoodie tied around its waist; Mr. Bowen’s wore a white collared shirt and sneakers.
    Tammy LaGorce, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • While chicken wings are Hooters’ signature menu item, the eatery is best known for its servers, who wear tight orange shorts and white T-shirts bearing the company’s name.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Its muted victory comes as Hollywood prepares to celebrate itself at the Oscars on Sunday, bringing an end to one of the most tumultuous awards seasons in recent memory.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
  • More:Federal judge blocks Trump’s refugee suspension The muted, business-like atmosphere at the Principles First Summit − a gathering of anti-Trump Republicans, right-leaning independents and disgruntled Democrats - in downtown Washington D.C. matched the lack of political fire power.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The commissioner’s restrained view of the FTC’s mission was inconsistent with Roosevelt’s policy agenda, which was the reason the president gave for dismissing him.
    Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Though the Franco-American relationship had cooled by then, Trump and Macron shook hands in a somewhat restrained manner. 2024: The Shake Seen Around The World Last December, Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Paris ahead of the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Silent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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