quieten

verb

1. become quiet or quieter; “The audience fell silent when the speaker entered”

   Synonyms

   • hush, quiet, quiesce, quiet down, pipe down

   Antonym

   • louden

   Less specific

   • change intensity

2. make calm or still; “quiet the dragons of worry and fear”

   Synonyms

   • calm, calm down, quiet, tranquilize, tranquillize, tranquillise, lull, still

   Antonym

   • agitate, rouse, turn on, charge, commove, excite, charge up

   Less specific

   • comfort, soothe, console, solace

   More specific

   • lull, compose, pacify, lenify, conciliate, assuage, appease, mollify, placate, gentle, gruntle, reassure, assure

3. cause to be quiet or not talk; “Please silence the children in the church!”

   Synonyms

   • hush, silence, still, shut up, hush up

   Antonym

   • louden

   Less specific

   • suppress, stamp down, inhibit, subdue, conquer, curb

   More specific

   • shush, lull, calm down, shout down, gag, muzzle

   See also

   • whitewash, gloss over, sleek over, hush up