hushed like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hushed like" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to compare the quietness or silence of one thing to another. Example: "The room was hushed like a library after closing time." Alternative expressions include "silent as," "quiet like," and "still as."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The library here is not hushed like those at the Institute or the university; men smile at her and reminisce about the heroic era in the early history of the base, when the scientists lived in army tents and survived on mutton and barley buns … A fluid dynamicist, Jin, reminisces about 1957.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This isn't the right car for those who want hushed, limousine-like isolation from the road.

Forbes

The whole city felt hushed, focussed, like a young dancer counting her steps.

The New Yorker

Skeptics who question a roster that might require help from a sixth-round draft pick or an undrafted free agent are hushed, sternly, like a restless youngster talking in church.

The New York Times - Sports

Greg Cowles has already stated that this work is the opposite of anything polite, hushed, merely "jewel-like".

The New York Times

The over-all impression made by the rest of the building is of light — large expanses of glass, white marble, and honey-colored wood — but the auditorium is enveloping and hushed and cathedral-like.

The New Yorker

A thing as simple as naming it allows us to root it out of the darkness and hushed conversation where it likes to breed like roaches.

The New York Times

There is a yacht lurking off the Adriatic coast, where, for vast fees, sinister, tight-lipped men arrange for governments to change, wars to be hushed up, and the like.

The New Yorker

In "Overwinter," on Day No. 4, Aimee Nezhukumatathil writes,                                                   This is the price and the         pleasure         of a new president: those who were hushed         now feel like they can finally         chatter and natter — flex wing                 and leg freely.

The New Yorker

In "Overwinter," on Day No. 4, Aimee Nezhukumatathil writes, This is the price and the         pleasure         of a new president: those who were hushed         now feel like they can finally         chatter and natter — flex wing                 and leg freely.

The New Yorker

"Baduizm" was one of the first releases to be tagged "neo-soul," a genre that has little to do with older soul music but does tend toward slow tempos, a pronounced bass line, hushed instrumental moves, like quiet rim shots ("I want a rim shot, hey, diggy diggy," goes the first song on "Baduizm"), and the use of an electro-acoustic keyboard, most often a Fender Rhodes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hushed like" to create a vivid comparison, helping the reader imagine the degree of silence or quietness being described. It is especially effective when describing environments or atmospheres.

Common error

While "hushed like" is acceptable, it might sound less formal than alternatives like "as silent as" in academic or professional writing. Choose vocabulary fitting to your audience and the register of the piece.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hushed like" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by likening its state to a condition of being hushed or quiet. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hushed like" is a grammatically sound and comparably evocative phrase effectively used to describe a state of profound quiet. Though Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively uncommon and most frequently found in News & Media. Consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, as more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Related options include "silent like" or "quiet as", which offer similar descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hushed as

Replaces "like" with "as", maintaining the comparison to a quiet state.

silent like

Replaces "hushed" with "silent", focusing on the absence of sound.

quiet as

Uses "quiet" instead of "hushed", emphasizing a general lack of noise.

still as

Highlights the absence of movement, implying a deep quietness.

calm like

Suggests a peaceful and undisturbed state, similar to quietness.

peaceful like

Emphasizes the tranquility and lack of disturbance.

serene like

Implies a dignified and undisturbed quiet.

tranquil like

Focuses on a state of quietude and composure.

muted like

Indicates a softening or reduction of sound, implying a quiet atmosphere.

subdued like

Suggests a reduced intensity or activity, implying a quiet atmosphere.

FAQs

How can I use "hushed like" in a sentence?

You can use "hushed like" to describe something that is quiet or silent, comparing it to something else known for its silence. For example, "The library was "hushed like" a tomb."

What are some alternatives to "hushed like"?

Alternatives include "silent like", "quiet as", or "still as". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hushed like" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hushed like" is grammatically correct. It uses "hushed" as an adjective and "like" as a preposition to create a comparison.

When is it appropriate to use "hushed like" in writing?

"Hushed like" is suitable for descriptive writing where you want to emphasize the quietness of something by comparing it to another quiet thing. It's common in literary or creative contexts but should be used judiciously in more formal settings.