silently
adv.-
1 without noise (adv.) B1 Intermediatein a way that makes no sound.
in a manner that produces no audible sound.
ExampleThe cat crept silently across the wooden floor toward the bird.
ExampleThe submarine glided silently through the deep water, its advanced propulsion system designed to evade detection by enemy sonar.
- quietly
- noiselessly
- soundlessly
- loudly
- noisily
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2 without speaking (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediatewithout saying anything out loud.
without verbal expression; used when someone is thinking or reacting internally.
ExampleShe sat silently in the back of the car, thinking about her day.
ExampleHe stood silently at the back of the hall, observing the heated debate without offering his own opinion on the matter.
- mutely
- wordlessly
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3 without notification (adv.) C1 Advanced Technical Computingwhen a change is made to a file or document without telling anyone.
referring to a process or update that occurs without explicit acknowledgment or user notification.
ExampleThe app updated silently in the background while I was sleeping.
ExampleThe script was designed to fail silently, ensuring that minor errors would not interrupt the user's workflow with unnecessary dialogue boxes.
UsageOften describes software updates or text corrections.
- automatically
- unobtrusively
From silent + -ly.