General:
* Silence: This is the most common and straightforward word.
* Quiet: This suggests a peaceful or calming absence of sound.
* Stillness: This implies a sense of calm and tranquility, often associated with a lack of movement as well.
* Hush: This suggests a deliberate attempt to be quiet, often used to emphasize the silence.
* Dead air: This is a more informal term often used in contexts like radio broadcasting or public speaking.
* A lull: This suggests a temporary pause in conversation.
Descriptive:
* Eerie silence: This suggests a sense of unease or foreboding.
* Uncomfortable silence: This suggests a tension or awkwardness in the situation.
* Heavy silence: This implies a sense of weight or pressure, often associated with sadness or grief.
* Oppressive silence: This suggests a feeling of suffocation or claustrophobia.
Figurative:
* A deafening silence: This is a paradox used to emphasize the intensity of the silence.
* The silence screamed: This is a poetic way to suggest that the lack of conversation speaks volumes.
The best word to use depends on the specific context and the intended effect.