deafening silence

noun

A noteworthy silence, or absence of response, especially one signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm.

“The suggestion that they work through the holidays met with deafening silence.”

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Meanings

noundeafening silence (usually uncountable, plural deafening silences)

plural deafening silences

  1. idiomaticuncountableusuallyA noteworthy silence, or absence of response, especially one signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm.

    The suggestion that they work through the holidays met with deafening silence.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
dead silence

Translations

Finnish kiusallinen hiljaisuus, korviahuumaava hiljaisuus
  • kiusallinen hiljaisuusnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
  • korviahuumaava hiljaisuusnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
French silence de mort, silence assourdissant
  • silence de mortnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
  • silence assourdissantnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Polish głucha cisza
  • głucha ciszanoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Portuguese silêncio ensurdecedor
  • silêncio ensurdecedornoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Russian гробовое молча́ние
  • гробовое молча́ние (grobovoje molčánije)noteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Spanish silencio ensordecedor
  • silencio ensordecedornoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Swedish knäpptyst, öronbedövande tystnad
  • knäpptystnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
  • öronbedövande tystnadnoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Tagalog nakabibinging katahimikan
  • nakabibinging katahimikannoteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm
Cite this entry
APA

deafening silence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deafening%20silence

MLA

“deafening silence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deafening%20silence. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “deafening silence,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deafening%20silence.

Source: deafening silence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.