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Glite Dictionary
hushed

hushed

22 4.1
Very quiet in a careful, respectful, or secret way
  • adjective
  • /hʌʃt/
translation icon : en voz baja
  • As you would expect, the memorial landscape is somber, and visitors speak in hushed, respectful tones.
  • hushed tones
  • speak in hushed

And ironically, Nancy, I was told once in hushed tones, would you believe Julia Child left the so and so's party before Arthur Schlesinger?

Examples

  • Overcast, very still, very quiet, hushed with the weekly inertia of a Scottish Sabbath.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "When does class start?" asked Judy in a hushed voice, looking around at the empty desks.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • A Chinese family was there with us, speaking in hushed but rapid Chinese.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • "What's the matter with you?" she said, her voice more hushed than usual.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Fewer people from the congregation mentioned his name except in quiet and hushed tones.

    Academic text (2007)

  • His voice was hushed and broken, I could hear he was on the verge of tears.

  • "Man of valor," someone said in a hushed voice, and he spoke for all who watched.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The crew spoke of her in hushed tones, but always in glowing terms.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Desperate for a resolution, Stellio speaks in hushed tones about murdering his wife.

    Academic text (2017)

  • In the library, students spoke in hushed voices to avoid disturbing others.

Synonyms

quiet
vshushed
∞ 1.0

Not making much noise

is lower in sound because of careful, respectful, or secretive action
silent
vshushed
397 1.0

Not speaking when people expect an answer

is quiet for respectful or secret reasons rather than refusing to speak intentionally
muted
vshushed
19 4.0

Sound that is softer and quieter than usual

is quiet from deliberate calming or secrecy rather than mere reduction in intensity
subdued
vshushed
9 4.2

Soft and not bright, like pale colors or quiet sounds

is specifically very quiet often for respect or secrecy rather than general restraint
whispery
vshushed
2 4.1

Making a soft sound like a whisper

is quiet because of careful or secretive intention rather than tone alone
quiet as a mouse
vshushed
  • Informal
2 5.8

Very quiet so no one notices you

is very low in sound for respect or secrecy rather than simple stealthiness
silent as the grave
vshushed
  • Literature
1 5.7

Completely quiet with no sound at all

is low in sound because of care or secrecy rather than absolute total stillness
whispered
vshushed
2.9

Said very quietly in a soft voice

is made very quiet out of care, respect, or secrecy

Antonyms

loud
447 1.0

In a way that makes a lot of noise

noisy
125 1.0

Full of loud, unpleasant sounds

Compounds

hushed-up
1 7.5

People in power keep it secret to hide a problem

How Quiet

silent
257 1.0
hushed
22 4.1
quiet
∞ 1.0
soft
182 1.0

Surface Forms

hushed positive

Morphology

hushed = hush (transparent) = hush + ed

The adjective 'hushed' is transparently derived from the verb 'hush' with the addition of the past participle suffix '-ed', indicating a state of being quieted.

Etymology

Hushed comes from the simple word hush, which people say to tell someone to be quiet, and the ending -ed makes it mean 'made quiet'. That's why a hushed voice or place is very quiet, often in a careful, respectful, or secret way.