1. the condition of being unable or unwilling to speak - her muteness was a consequence of her deafness • Syn: mutism • Derivationally related forms: mute • Hypernyms: condition, status • Hyponyms: deaf-mutism, deaf-muteness 2. a refusal to speak when expected - his silence about my contribution was surprising • Syn: silence • Derivationally related forms: silent (for: silence), silence (for: silence), mute • Hypernyms: uncommunicativeness