Shushing

The act of silencing or attempting to silence someone, often by making a 'shh' sound or gesture. It is used to quiet a person or group, usually in an environment where quiet is desired, such as a library, theater, or during a private conversation. shushing can range from a polite request for silence to a more forceful demand, reflecting the speaker's frustration or authority. It can also be employed in a playful context, such as playfully quieting a mischievous child. The effectiveness of shushing often depends on the relationship between the shusher and the person being shushed.

Shushing meaning with examples

• During the tense movie scene, the woman in front of me kept loudly commenting, so I reluctantly had to 'shush' her. It felt rude, but her noise was ruining everyone's experience. It was the only polite way I could think of to quiet her down.
• The librarian, noticing the children giggling in the reading room, gave them a gentle 'shush'. Her intention was to maintain the library's serene environment and allow others to focus on their reading without being disturbed by the children's noise.
• The conductor raised a finger to his lips and 'shushed' the orchestra just before the crucial, quiet opening of the symphony. It was the beginning of a very delicate piece, and the slightest sound would have ruined the effect.
• As the secret was being told, Sarah leaned in and 'shushed' her friend to ensure nobody else could hear, this was an intensely private moment in the conversation.