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
The complete absence of sound.
"The silence in the library was absolute."
To make someone or something quiet.
"The guard silenced the alarm."
To suppress someone's voice or opinion through force or intimidation.
"The regime tried to silence the journalists."
Examples
The silence in the library was absolute.
The guard silenced the alarm.
The regime tried to silence the journalists.
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 someone
to force someone to stop speaking or expressing their views
The government attempted to silence the activists by arresting them.