What is the Opposite(Antonym) of “speak”?

The Opposite(Antonym) of “speak”

The antonyms of speak are be quiet and keep silent. The antonyms be quiet and keep silent convey a lack of speech or sound. It implies a state of silence or not speaking.

Explore all Antonyms of “speak”

• be quiet
• keep silent

Definitions and Examples of be quiet, keep silent

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

be quiet

To stop making noise or speaking; to be silent.

Example

Please be quiet during the movie so that others can enjoy it.

keep silent

To refrain from speaking or making noise; to remain quiet.

Example

He decided to keep silent about the incident to avoid causing any trouble.

Key Differences: be quiet vs keep silent

• 1. Be quiet is a more direct and immediate request to stop making noise or speaking.
• 2. Keep silent is a more general and long-term instruction to refrain from speaking or making noise.

Effective Usage of be quiet, keep silent

• 1. Instructing someone to stop making noise: Use be quiet to ask someone to stop talking or making noise.
• 2. Encouraging someone to remain silent: Use keep silent to encourage someone to refrain from speaking or making noise.
• 3. Expressing a desire for silence: Use either antonym to express a desire for silence in a particular situation.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: be quiet is a direct request to stop making noise, while keep silent is a more general instruction to refrain from speaking. Use these words to instruct someone to stop making noise, encourage someone to remain silent, or express a desire for silence.