silenced
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to silence someone
To prevent someone from freely expressing their opinion or criticizing something, often through intimidation, censorship, or threats.
Das Regime versuchte, die kritischen Journalisten mundtot zu machen.
The regime tried to silence the critical journalists.
The word is a figurative compound made up of 'Mund' (mouth) and 'tot' (dead). So it describes the state in which a person's mouth has been made 'dead', meaning they can no longer speak or express their opinion.
Durch Zensur wurden kritische Stimmen mundtot gemacht.
Critical voices were silenced through censorship.
The adjective 'mundtot' (silenced) is almost always used predicatively, that is, together with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'machen' (to make). Using it directly before a noun (attributively) is very rare.
Die Presse in diesem Land ist leider mundtot.
The press in this country is unfortunately silenced.
The most common use is the fixed expression 'jemanden mundtot machen' (to silence someone). The person who is being silenced is always in the accusative.
Die Regierung versuchte, die Opposition mundtot zu machen.
The government tried to silence the opposition.
to suppress
'unterdrücken' and 'mundtot' both have to do with power and a lack of freedom. 'unterdrücken' is broader: people or groups are prevented from living freely or exercising their rights. 'Jemanden mundtot machen' (to silence someone) is more specific. It means that someone can no longer speak freely, criticize, or express their opinion. So 'mundtot' especially describes the suppression of someone's voice and opinion. When the topic is rights and freedom in general, 'unterdrücken' fits better. When it is mainly about being forced into silence through pressure, fear, or censorship, 'mundtot machen' is more precise.
Die Journalistin ließ sich trotz Drohungen nicht mundtot machen.
Despite the threats, the journalist refused to be silenced.
Das Regime unterdrückt die Menschen und verbietet freie Wahlen.
The regime oppresses the people and bans free elections.