mutely

Examples

• All

• In answer, John handed me the paper and pointed mutely to an enormous headline.

  Fiction book (2001)

• At dinner, they sat mutely through Aunt Beatrice's interrogation, then retreated without a word to him.

  Fiction book (2001)

• The bush stood mutely, ignoring him, normal as could be.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Not knowing what to say, the priest mutely reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple stole.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Harold stood up and set them out in the kitchen, where they gleamed mutely against the wall.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Then her face softened, and she made a small step toward him and mutely offered him her conch.

  Fiction book (2002)

• I don't recall whether we fought, kissed goodbye, or sat in a car staring mutely out the windows.

  Fiction book (1998)

• " Are you sure you don't know the way home from here? " Shelby nodded mutely.

  Fiction book (1995)

• The picture is ultimately pessimistic: the bystanders stare mutely at the convicts, slinking away from them or dodging their gaze.

  Academic text (2015)

• The audience listened mutely as the speaker shared her powerful story.

Synonyms

Q

quietly

vsmutely

517 1.0

In a quiet way that makes little or no noise

emphasises absence of speech rather than simply low background noise

S

silently

vsmutely

129 1.2

In a quiet way without making any sound or speaking

is about not speaking specifically rather than general noiselessness

I

in silence

vsmutely

87 2.1

Not speaking or making any sound

focuses on the lack of speaking rather than overall quietness

W

wordlessly

vsmutely

6 3.9

To do something without speaking or using words

is about being silent in action or speech rather than word choice

S

soundlessly

vsmutely

5 4.4

In a way that makes no sound

is used when the main point is not speaking rather than no sound

D

dumbly

vsmutely

3 7.4

Without speaking, unable or unwilling to say anything

describes simple lack of speaking without implying attitude or ability

N

noiselessly

vsmutely

3 4.4

Without making any sound

centres on not speaking instead of strictly on inaudibility

I

inaudibly

vsmutely

2 6.3

So quietly that no one can hear

refers to absence of speech regardless of whether sound is heard

Q

quiet as a mouse

vsmutely

• Informal

2 5.8

Very quiet so no one notices you

refers to not speaking generally rather than a stealthy quietness

S

speechlessly

vsmutely

1 5.6

Not able to speak because of shock or strong feeling

denotes a neutral lack of speech without implying incapacity or shock

S

silent as the grave

vsmutely

• Literature

1 5.7

Completely quiet with no sound at all

is the neutral expression for not speaking rather than dramatic total silence

S

subvocally

vsmutely

8.5

Saying words softly to yourself in your mind or under your breath

is about complete lack of spoken words rather than internal utterance

T

taciturnly

vsmutely

9.1

To act in a quiet, reserved way and say very little

is used for momentary silence rather than a habitual reserved style

M

mutedly

vsmutely

5.8

In a quiet, gentle way that shows little feeling

specifies absence of speech rather than general low intensity

N

nonlexically

vsmutely

• Specialized

9.9

People communicate without using words, showing meaning by gestures or tone

is the everyday idea of not speaking rather than technical nonverbal action

I

in silentio

vsmutely

• Formal

9.9

Used when a decision or action is not said openly, often in law

applies broadly to not speaking in ordinary situations rather than legal use

How Silent

silently

129 1.2

mutely

3 5.6

quietly

517 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology