soundless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soundless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that produces no sound or is silent. Example: "The soundless night was filled with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Falling into disgrace in the late 1980s for being too independent (he spoke out against what he believed to be violations of Islamic justice, including mass executions), he now lives under house arrest in Qom, Iran's most holy city, an important but largely soundless presence.

The Economist

In 1920, while employed as an engineer for a Detroit automobile concern, he worked privately on a variety of original devices, eventually inventing a soundless clock by enclosing the spring motor in a soundproof box.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We watched it burrow beneath the sand to disappear with a soundless suck.

Independent

TMZ posted the soundless three-minute clip on Monday, which showed the siblings in the same outfits they'd worn for the Met Ball Gala earlier the same evening.

Independent

Another soundless dance film anchors the show later on: Yvonne Rainer, in a 1978 performance of her hugely influential, definitively minimalist "Trio A" (1966).

The New Yorker

The students were silenced; so, too, was Mishima, at least in the world of Murakami's novel: deprived of the words that were his metier, reduced to a soundless televised clip.

The New Yorker

He had a soundless wooden 36-key practice keyboard with him that he was using to practice fingerings.

The New Yorker

His face was a soundless picture of loathing.

The New Yorker

They, were in Nevada in the Basin and Range in a soundless immensity with mountains in it.

The New Yorker

Awkward, and almost always the idiotSavant, mutant, retard, I Travel my own effervescent weather, In my underwater Vessel, my sweet Mars, and soundless Daydream, magical sweep of RimbaudianReverie.

The New Yorker

A Nebraska man was seen to hold citizenship in Men Who Sit Up Late at Night Staring with Love at Their Sleeping Children and also in Farmers Who Mumble Soundless Prayers While Working in Their Fields.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soundless" to create a vivid image of complete silence, especially when emphasizing the absence of expected or typical sounds in a particular setting.

Common error

Avoid using "soundless" when the context already implies the absence of sound. For example, instead of saying "a soundless image," consider simply using "a silent image" or "a still image" if the lack of sound is already understood.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "soundless" primarily functions to describe something that lacks sound. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and highlights its effectiveness in depicting silence or the absence of noise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soundless" is a grammatically sound adjective that vividly describes the absence of sound. As Ludwig confirms, it is most frequently used in news and media to create atmosphere and emphasize silence. While "soundless" is a powerful descriptor, be mindful of potential redundancy and consider alternatives like "silent" or "noiseless" depending on the context. Using "soundless" effectively can significantly enhance the impact of your writing by creating a strong sensory experience for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

silent

Direct synonym; indicates a complete absence of sound.

noiseless

Emphasizes the lack of noise, suggesting an environment or object that does not produce sound.

without a sound

Phrasal way to express the absence of any auditory sensation, often used to describe actions.

mute

Implies an inability or unwillingness to produce sound.

devoid of sound

Emphasizes the complete lack of sound, portraying a strong sense of silence.

hushed

Suggests a quietness that is often imposed or respected, creating a subdued atmosphere.

inaudible

Refers to sounds that are impossible to hear, often due to being too faint or distant.

speechless

Indicates a temporary inability to speak, often due to surprise or shock.

unvoiced

Describes something that is not expressed verbally.

quiet

A general term for low levels of noise or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "soundless" in a sentence?

You can use "soundless" to describe something that makes no noise, such as "the dancer's "soundless leap" across the stage" or "the "soundless movie" played on the screen".

What are some alternatives to "soundless"?

Some alternatives to "soundless" include "silent", "noiseless", "mute", or "hushed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "soundless" or "silent"?

Both "soundless" and "silent" are correct, but "soundless" often emphasizes the lack of an expected sound, while "silent" simply means there is no sound. For example, a "soundless engine" implies an engine that should make noise but doesn't.

What is the difference between "soundless" and "inaudible"?

"Soundless" means without any sound, while "inaudible" means that a sound exists but cannot be heard, often because it is too faint or distant.