SILENT Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

silent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsī-lənt

Definition of silent next

as in mute

deliberately refraining from speech the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reserved

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) a naturally silent boy, he was often overshadowed by his louder siblings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quieted

mostly or entirely without sound the room was so silent that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

silent

2 of 2

noun

as in talkie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of silent

Adjective

The clown, a kind of psychopathic silent movie character who never utters a peep, bludgeons his victims in vicious murder sequences that operate as gory punchlines each time out. —

Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025 The noisy insects have been silent for a few months now, but come spring 2025 their songs will ring out again. —

Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 5 Jan. 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

Things get graphically violent in a hurry, and soon the narrative is split between Isaac trying to lead Sarah, Devin, and a mute girl named Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) to safety, and escalating tensions between the Army, Young’s militia, and members of the Shoshone tribe.

— Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2025
According to game director Hugo Martin, this will be a less jumpy, athletic outing for the famously mute protagonist than 2020’s Doom: Eternal.

— Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025