hold one's tongue

VERB

debrief

Synonyms

STRONG

censor gag mute muzzle quash soft pedal squelch stifle suppress

WEAK

dummy up hush up put the lid on say nothing shut up sit on

Antonyms

STRONG

allow encourage help let go permit release sanction

VERB

quieten

Synonyms

STRONG

clam dampen deaden dull extinguish gag hush lull muffle mute muzzle overawe quash quell quiet shush soft pedal squelch stifle still subdue suppress tongue-tie

WEAK

choke off clam up close up cool it cut off cut short decrease the volume dry up dumb dummy up hush one's mouth hush-hush keep it down pipe down quiet down say nothing shut up sit on strike dumb

Antonyms

STRONG

agitate allow disturb encourage help irritate let go release start

VERB

shush

Synonyms

STRONG

clam dampen deaden dull extinguish gag hush lull muffle mute muzzle overawe quash quell quiet quieten soft pedal squelch stifle still subdue suppress tongue-tie

WEAK

choke off clam up close up cool it cut off cut short decrease the volume dry up dumb dummy up hush one's mouth hush-hush keep it down pipe down quiet down say nothing shut up sit on strike dumb

Antonyms

STRONG

agitate allow disturb encourage help irritate let go release start

VERB

silence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cut off gag muffle mute muzzle quash quell squelch stifle subdue suppress

STRONG

clam dampen deaden dull extinguish hush lull overawe quiet quieten shush soft pedal still tongue-tie

WEAK

choke off clam up close up cool it cut short decrease the volume dry up dumb dummy up hush one's mouth hush-hush keep it down pipe down quiet down say nothing shut up sit on strike dumb

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow encourage help let go permit release start

WEAK

be noisy communicate talk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At least this once, one could hold one's tongue.

From Time Magazine Archive

An attitude of positive urbanity toward life was not to be expected; it was doing one's duty to hold one's tongue and keep one's hands off one's own windpipe, and other people's.

From Roderick Hudson by James, Henry

But I say again, as I said at first: if one could only hold one's tongue as to what one sees, one would be the better for it.

From Pepper & Salt or, Seasoning for Young Folk by Pyle, Howard

But then, at such a place as Littlebath, one would have to hold one's tongue altogether.

From The Bertrams by Trollope, Anthony

True, one must be able to hold one's tongue when necessary, and Mrs. Paaschen, who is so inquisitive, is really not at all according to my taste.

From The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 12 by Various

hold one's tongue

Example Sentences

Related Words