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shut up
verb
shut up; shutting up; shuts up
: to cause (a person) to stop talking
: to cease writing or speaking
Synonyms
Examples of shut up in a Sentence
you have no right to tell the rest of us to shut up
nothing I said would shut them up
Recent Examples on the Web
Except when the time finally came to put up or shut up, Laurel backed down from the challenge.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 29 May 2024
The federal government is paralyzed by far-right and far-left politicians and their followers who stand screaming epitaphs at each other, while the great majority of Americans in the middle are too cowed to tell them to sit down and shut up so more reasonable people can get something done.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2024
But sadly, in this current climate, some of the very people best and most excited to step up and help are being told to shut up and sit down.
—Jim Daly, The Denver Post, 1 May 2024
At least some Jets fans wish Mr. Rodgers would just shut up and play.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shut up
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shut up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1814, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near shut up
Cite this Entry
“Shut up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut%20up. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
shut up
verb1
: to cause a person to stop talking
2
: to stop writing or speaking
More from Merriam-Webster on shut up
Nglish: Translation of shut up for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shut up for Arabic Speakers
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