appalling silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a silence that is shocking, disturbing, or deeply unsettling, often in a dramatic or emotional context. Example: "After the announcement, there was an appalling silence in the room, as everyone processed the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Literature

Social Commentary

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The assaults on the ear are no less shocking, from the screams of women in the night to the appalling silence at the end of it all.

The New York Times - Books

To paraphrase Martin Luther King, the great tragedy of this period in Afghanistan is the appalling silence of those who do not speak out for what is right.

The New York Times

Quoting Dr. King, she said, "History will have a record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of bad people, but the appalling silence of good people".

The New York Times

As King wrote in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail": "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people".

The Guardian - Opinion

The photograph is on my office wall today, the only good one I ever made of the war -- a still life at dusk, black and white, three bodies on wooden pallets, rifles beside them, palm trees above them, a composition of appalling silence and melancholy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Given the difficult path immigration reform has in Congress, Vargas was wise to cap off the screening of his film last night with a quote from Martin Luther King: "History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

What if, as a result of that appalling divine silence, such a man were to begin to question, or even to lose, the faith that had sustained him?

The New Yorker

He said the smell was unbearable, the silence appalling.

The Guardian

This video demonstrates how the United States is intimidated into silence on appalling human rights violations by AIPAC.

Huffington Post

When they make their deals, they are not just buying weapons - they are also buying the UK's silence on their appalling human rights records".

Independent

In fact, the Reagan administration was notable for its long refusal to mention the issue of Aids, a silence that had appalling consequences.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "appalling silence" to create a dramatic effect, drawing attention to the gravity of a situation where speech or reaction is notably absent.

Common error

Avoid overusing "appalling silence" in contexts where the lack of sound is merely unusual or unexpected, rather than morally or ethically problematic. The phrase carries a strong connotation of wrongdoing or negligence, so ensure the situation warrants such condemnation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling silence" functions as a noun phrase, where "appalling" modifies the noun "silence". It describes a particular type of silence characterized by its shocking or disturbing nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Reference

16%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalling silence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a shocking or disturbing lack of response, particularly when action or commentary is expected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is both valid and useful in modern English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys disapproval or outrage. While versatile, writers should ensure its application is warranted and appropriate for the context, avoiding overuse in situations that are merely unusual. Consider alternatives like "deafening silence" or "shocking lack of response" to subtly adjust the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deafening silence

Emphasizes the intensity of the silence, suggesting it's noticeable and impactful.

disturbing quiet

Substitutes "appalling" with "disturbing" and "silence" with "quiet", creating a slightly less intense tone.

unforgivable silence

Emphasizes the moral failing of not speaking out.

shocking lack of response

Replaces "silence" with a more descriptive term emphasizing the absence of a reaction.

criminal silence

Suggests that the silence is not just wrong, but potentially illegal or harmful.

inexcusable muteness

Replaces "silence" with "muteness", highlighting a failure to speak when it's necessary or expected.

disgraceful lack of voice

Highlights that someone or some group not expressing their opinions is a bad situation.

scandalous quiet

Suggests the silence is outrageous and has caused public outrage.

condemnable quietude

Replaces "silence" with a more formal word quietude.

alarming absence of comment

Highlights the lack of commentary as a worrying sign.

FAQs

How can I use "appalling silence" in a sentence?

You can use "appalling silence" to describe a situation where the lack of response is shocking or disturbing, often in a context where action or commentary is expected. For example: "The politician's /s/appalling+silence on the matter spoke volumes."

What does "appalling silence" mean?

"Appalling silence" refers to a situation where the lack of response or commentary is considered shocking, disturbing, or morally reprehensible. It suggests that someone should be speaking out but isn't, and that this absence of voice is deeply problematic.

What can I say instead of "appalling silence"?

Alternatives include "deafening silence", "shocking lack of response", or "disturbing quiet", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "appalling silence"?

Yes, the phrase "appalling silence" carries a negative connotation. It is used to condemn or criticize the lack of response, suggesting that it is morally wrong or deeply disturbing.