Solitude vs. Silence — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Solitude and Silence
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Compare with Definitions
Solitude
Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the situation.
Silence
Silence is the absence of ambient audible sound, the emission of sounds of such low intensity that they do not draw attention to themselves, or the state of having ceased to produce sounds; this latter sense can be extended to apply to the cessation or absence of any form of communication, whether through speech or other medium.Sometimes speakers fall silent when they hesitate in searching for a word, or interrupt themselves before correcting themselves. Discourse analysis shows that people use brief silences to mark the boundaries of prosodic units, in turn-taking, or as reactive tokens, e.g., as a sign of displeasure, disagreement, embarrassment, desire to think, confusion, and the like.
Solitude
The state or quality of being alone or remote from others
Composers need solitude to work.
Silence
The condition or quality of being or keeping still and silent.
Solitude
The state of being secluded or uninhabited
Sought out the solitude of the forest.
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Silence
The absence of sound; stillness.
Solitude
A secluded or uninhabited place
"Beyond his bleak sky-line there stretched vast solitudes" (Jack London).
Silence
A period of time without speech or noise.
Solitude
Aloneness; the state of being alone, solitary, or by oneself.
Silence
Refusal or failure to speak out.
Solitude
A lonely or deserted place.
Silence
To make silent or bring to silence
Silenced the crowd with a gesture.
Solitude
State of being alone, or withdrawn from society; a lonely life; loneliness.
Whosoever is delighted with solitude is either a wild beast or a god.
O Solitude! where are the charmsThat sages have seen in thy face?
Silence
To curtail the expression of; suppress
Silencing all criticism.
Silenced their opponents.
Solitude
Remoteness from society; destitution of company; seclusion; - said of places; as, the solitude of a wood.
The solitude of his little parish is become matter of great comfort to him.
Silence
(Genetics) To interfere with the expression of (a gene or gene segment) so that its biological function is suppressed.
Solitude
Solitary or lonely place; a desert or wilderness.
In these deep solitudes and awful cellsWhere heavenly pensive contemplation dwells.
O blest retirement, friend to life's decline.
Such only can enjoy the country who are capable of thinking when they are there; then they are prepared for solitude; and in that [the country] solitude is prepared for them.
It is a place of seclusion from the external world.
These evils . . . seem likely to reduce it [a city] ere long to the loneliness and the insignificance of a village.
Silence
The absence of any sound.
When the motor stopped, the silence was almost deafening.
Solitude
A state of social isolation
Silence
The act of refraining from speaking.
"You have the right to silence," said the police officer.
Solitude
A solitary place
Silence
Form of meditative worship practiced by the Society of Friends (Quakers); meeting for worship.
During silence a message came to me that there was that of God in every person.
Solitude
A disposition toward being alone
Silence
(transitive) To make (someone or something) silent.
Can you silence the crowd, so we can start the show?
Silence
(transitive) To repress the expression of something.
Women, as well as children, have their thoughts or emotions routinely silenced.
Silence
(transitive) To suppress criticism, etc.
Silence the critics.
Silence the doubters.
Silence
(molecular biology) To block gene expression.
Silence
(euphemistic) To murder.
Silence
(imperative) Be silent.
Silence! Enough of your insolence!
Silence
The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
I saw and heared; for such a numerous hostFled not in silence through the frighted deep.
Silence
Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.
Silence
Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
The administration itself keeps a profound silence.
Silence
The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.
Silence
Absence of mention; oblivion.
And what most merits fame, in silence hid.
Silence
Be silent; - used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.
Silence
To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.
Silence
To put to rest; to quiet.
This would silence all further opposition.
These would have silenced their scruples.
Silence
To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel.
The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity.
Silence
To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.
Silence
The state of being silent (as when no one is speaking);
There was a shocked silence
He gestured for silence
Silence
The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet
Silence
A refusal to speak when expected;
His silence about my contribution was surprising
Silence
The trait of keeping things secret
Silence
Cause to be quiet or not talk;
Please silence the children in the church!
Silence
Keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure;
All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power
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