complete silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete silence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which there are no sounds whatsoever. For example, "The room was filled with complete silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Complete silence.

The New York Times

By complete silence.

The Guardian - Books

It was complete silence".

The New Yorker

People suffer in complete silence.

Stanford University

"There was complete silence," Mr. Rivers said.

The New York Times - Sports

I left the theatre in complete silence.

The Guardian

Instead, she was met with complete silence.

The Washington Post

They made the journey in complete silence.

Stanford University

From politicians there has been complete silence.

The Guardian

After we read that there was complete silence.

Independent

There was complete silence and nothing was stirring.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete silence" to emphasize a stark or surprising absence of sound in a scene or situation. It can heighten tension or create a sense of anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "complete silence" when there are still some ambient sounds present. Instead, opt for phrases like "near silence" or "relative quiet" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete silence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the state of having no sound present, emphasizing a total lack of auditory input.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complete silence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the total absence of sound. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and is found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While similar phrases like "total quiet" or "utter stillness" exist, "complete silence" effectively conveys the message of a stark lack of noise and is best used when there are no audible sounds present. Avoid overstating the silence when there are ambient sounds by using alternative descriptions such as "near silence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total quiet

Emphasizes the absence of noise; slightly more informal.

absolute hush

Focuses on the calmness and lack of disturbance.

pin drop silence

Illustrates the intensity of the quiet, suggesting even a pin drop would be audible.

utter stillness

Highlights the lack of movement alongside sound; more evocative.

soundlessness

A more direct and technical term for the lack of sound.

noiselessness

Another direct term, specifically focusing on the absence of noise.

profound quietude

Suggests a deeper, more contemplative silence.

deathly hush

Implies a more unsettling and ominous absence of sound.

tranquil stillness

Emphasizes peacefulness and lack of disturbance.

deafening silence

Creates a sense of irony, emphasizing the noticeable absence of sound.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete silence" to describe the total absence of sound. For example, "The audience was in /s/complete+silence during the emotional scene."

What's the difference between "complete silence" and "deafening silence"?

"Complete silence" refers to an actual absence of sound, while "deafening silence" is a figure of speech that emphasizes the significance of the absence of sound.

Which is more appropriate: "total silence" or "complete silence"?

Both "complete silence" and "total silence" are generally interchangeable, but "complete silence" may sound slightly more formal depending on the context.

Are there other words for /s/complete+absence+of+sound besides "complete silence"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "utter stillness", "absolute hush", or "profound quietude" to describe a complete absence of sound.