damning silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"damning silence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which someone's lack of comment or response communicates disapproval, a lack of interest, or an unwillingness to talk about something. For example: The professor's damning silence was enough to make the student realize he had asked the wrong question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She needed to yank her brain away from the accident, the missed notes, as Helen had had to yank hers away from Nathan's damning silence on the phone from Austin, from her mother's diagnosis, and move forward, head toward the next indicated thing, even if there were no directions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And, damn, in silence.

HuffPost

If ever there are grounds to go operatically ballistic, it's the molestation of a child -- think about it, picture it, it is a crime and should be prosecuted as a crime -- and when thousands are violated... the silence is damning.

Huffington Post

She has been damned for maintaining radio silence rather than sending clear messages, for balancing factions rather than leading, for leaning left when her party yearned for a rightward tilt.

The Economist

And special events--author lectures, origami workshops, karate demonstrations--must be held in the middle of the reading room, silence be damned.

Los Angeles Times

If, on the contrary, you want to regard Pius XII as a saint, you can't ignore his misbegotten silence and the damning legacy of his concordat.

The New York Times - Books

Her daughter, who has since removed the veil and moved to Beirut, to escape her family's silence and shame, damns her mother, Taim, and herself, as well, saying bitterly, "We knew and we stayed quiet.

The New Yorker

This isn't the part where I rant about the evils of the Mouse House and/or how it's pretty damn dangerous to attempt to silence and intimidate journalists in this current environment, except to note that it's a pretty terrible look for Bob Iger if he does indeed choose to run for president in 2020.

Forbes

Dean John de Costa gave a sermon damning what he described as a "deafening silence" from overseas.

Wikipedia

More damning was the disclosure that about $265,000 in church money was used in an attempt to buy the silence of Jessica Hahn, the church secretary from West Babylon, L.I., with whom Mr. Bakker had his adulterous affair.

The New York Times

Image caption Fidel Castro said Mr Obama's words of reconciliation were "syrupy" Fidel Castro has broken his silence over President Obama's Cuba visit in a damning letter published in state-run newspaper Granma.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "damning silence" when you want to convey that someone's lack of response is, in itself, a strong form of disapproval or condemnation. For example, use it to describe a politician's lack of comment on a scandal.

Common error

Avoid using "damning silence" when a simple lack of information is the primary issue. The phrase implies active disapproval conveyed through silence, not just a gap in knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damning silence" functions as an adjective-noun pair, where "damning" modifies "silence". It describes a particular type of silence that is incriminating or condemnatory. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damning silence" effectively conveys the negative implications of a lack of response, suggesting disapproval or condemnation. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it offers a powerful way to express how silence can speak volumes, conveying judgment or guilt. Remember to use it when the absence of words is, in itself, a strong statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incriminating silence

Replaces "damning" with "incriminating", suggesting the silence itself provides evidence of guilt.

condemning silence

Substitutes "damning" with "condemning", highlighting the judgmental nature of the silence.

telling silence

Emphasizes that the silence is revealing or indicative of something significant.

revealing silence

Focuses on the way the silence unveils hidden truths or feelings.

implicating silence

Similar to incriminating, but suggests the silence indirectly involves someone in wrongdoing.

eloquent silence

Uses "eloquent" to suggest the silence speaks volumes, often in a negative way.

significant silence

Highlights the importance and impact of the silence.

accusatory silence

The silence itself acts as an accusation.

pregnant silence

Implies the silence is full of unspoken meaning or tension.

loaded silence

Suggests the silence carries a heavy emotional or contextual weight.

FAQs

What does "damning silence" mean?

The phrase "damning silence" refers to a situation where someone's silence or lack of response implies strong disapproval, condemnation, or guilt. It suggests that the silence itself is highly revealing and negative.

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

You can use "damning silence" to describe situations where a person's lack of comment speaks volumes about their true feelings or involvement. For example: "The board's damning silence after the CEO's presentation indicated their profound disapproval of the plan."

What are some alternatives to "damning silence"?

Alternatives to "damning silence" include "incriminating silence", "condemning silence", or "telling silence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "damning silence" a common phrase?

While "damning silence" is not as common as other similar phrases, it is a recognizable and effective way to describe a situation where silence carries a strong negative connotation. According to Ludwig, it is used in news media and literature.