terrifying silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrifying silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a silence that evokes fear or anxiety, often in a dramatic or suspenseful context. Example: "As the storm approached, a terrifying silence fell over the village, leaving everyone on edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For hours, they had disappeared into the mist of busy signals, overloaded circuits and terrifying silence.

The New York Times

When they came, Umar said, his job was to stand in terrifying silence behind the seated Verdiacee.

The Guardian

The Hanoi Hilton, after all, was a place of terrifying silence, and aw shucks will beat silver tongue every time with the regular Joes and Janes.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one except perhaps Edward Weston has photographed sand in so many different ways, and whenever Maurice Jarre's music lets up, the subtle soundtrack has a wonderful blend of camels' hooves padding in the sand, storms and light winds interspersed with terrifying silence.

The Guardian - Film

CHARLES McGRATH TERRIFYING SILENCE Demons roar aplenty in James Wan's summer horror hit, "The Conjuring," about a family battling ghosts inside a haunted home in the 1970s.

The New York Times - Arts

Would they laugh, or would there be a terrifying silence?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Crushing phone bills, bad timing, terrifying silences, apocalyptic quarrels….

The New Yorker

Atwood, known and feared for scaring off her inquisitors with icy blasts of sardonic wit and terrifying silences, gives another wicked chuckle.

Independent

In the past, such threats provoked a terrified silence.

Independent

The dateless guys use metaphors involving pratfalls, bottles that break on their heads and even backward cartwheels to evoke how they feel when stunned into terrified silence by desirable women.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, Catholics have been asked to accept the ghastly alternative of secret ecclesiastical trials and confessions; terrified, silenced parents; traumatized children now in their middle-age; and a Pope who, in yesterday's Sunday sermon, calls on his faith in God to lead him "towards the courage of not allowing oneself to be intimidated by the petty gossip of dominant opinion".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrifying silence" to create a suspenseful atmosphere in your writing, emphasizing the fear or anxiety associated with the absence of sound. This works especially well in horror, thriller, or drama genres.

Common error

Avoid using "terrifying silence" excessively in dialogue. Instead, show the characters' reactions to the silence through their actions or thoughts to maintain a more natural and engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrifying silence" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "terrifying" to modify the noun "silence", creating a vivid image of a silence filled with dread or fear. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, it's frequently used in narrative contexts to establish mood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Film

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrifying silence" is a grammatically sound and evocative phrase used to depict moments where quiet breeds fear. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It functions descriptively, aiming to instill unease or suspense, and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While adaptable to various registers, its impact is strongest in narrative or descriptive writing seeking to create a specific emotional atmosphere. Related phrases, like "eerie quiet", offer nuanced alternatives to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eerie quiet

Emphasizes the unsettling and mysterious nature of the silence.

chilling stillness

Highlights the frightening immobility and lack of sound.

ominous hush

Focuses on the foreboding and threatening quality of the quiet.

dreadful quiet

Emphasizes the feeling of intense fear and apprehension associated with the silence.

frightening stillness

Directly indicates the scary and disturbing nature of the silence.

petrifying quiet

Highlights how silence makes one feel scared.

scary quiet

Indicates the scary nature of the silence.

unsettling quiet

Indicates the disturbing nature of the silence.

fearful quiet

Indicates the quiet is full of fear.

unnatural silence

Highlights an abnormal silence.

FAQs

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

You can use "terrifying silence" to describe moments where the absence of sound amplifies fear or suspense, such as "A terrifying silence fell over the battlefield after the last shot was fired."

What phrases are similar to "terrifying silence"?

Alternatives include "eerie quiet", "chilling stillness", or "ominous hush", each emphasizing different aspects of fear and quietude.

Is "terrifying silence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "terrifying silence" is a grammatically correct phrase, combining an adjective ("terrifying") with a noun ("silence") to effectively convey a specific type of silence.

When is it appropriate to use "terrifying silence" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "terrifying silence" when you want to highlight the disturbing or frightening nature of a quiet moment, especially in suspenseful or dramatic contexts.