1. the act of making someone or something quiet or stopping them from speaking
2. the act of preventing someone from expressing their opinions or ideas

1. present participle of silence: making quiet or stopping from speaking

Examples

• The silencing of the protesters was widely criticized.
• She was silencing her phone during the meeting.
• The government’s silencing of journalists raised concerns about freedom of speech.
• He tried silencing the noisy children with a stern look.
• The silencing of dissenting voices weakened the debate.
• They were silencing their critics through legal threats.
• The teacher was silencing the chattering students.