silence
This word carries a heavy emotional weight that varies by context. It can represent a peaceful, meditative sanctuary or a suffocating, tense void. When used to describe a social situation, it often implies an awkwardness or a deliberate refusal to communicate, creating a psychological barrier between people. In political or social contexts, the term shifts from a physical state to a tool of power. It describes the act of erasure or censorship, where the absence of sound is not a choice but a forced condition. This creates a stark contrast between the serenity of a quiet forest and the violence of a silenced witness.
Uncountable when referring to the general state of quiet. Countable when referring to a specific period or instance of being quiet.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
stunning silence
a silence caused by shock
The news was met with a stunning silence.
dead silence
absolute and complete silence
There was dead silence in the courtroom.
comfortable silence
silence between people who feel at ease
They shared a comfortable silence as they watched the sunset.
silence the critics
to prove critics wrong
Her brilliant performance finally silenced the critics.
break the silence
to speak after a period of quiet
Someone finally decided to break the silence and ask a question.
Phrasal Verbs
silence out
to completely drown out a sound with a louder one
The roar of the jet engine silenced out the conversation.