It's a maneuver harassers use to humiliate, intimidate or silence their targets.

这是骚扰者用来羞辱、恐吓或者让攻击目标闭嘴的一种策略。

youdao

They can then use specific colors of light to activate or silence particular cells and circuits, which in turns reveals the role that those cells and circuits play in the broader nervous system.

然后利用一些特殊颜色的光线使特定的细胞和回路活跃起来或者保持安静，借此他们可以发现这些细胞和回路在更大范围的神经系统中所扮演的角色。

youdao

I didn't know whether to interpret her silence as acceptance or refusal.

我不知该把她的沉默看作是接受还是拒绝。

《牛津词典》

He seemed a part of the darkness and silence of the forest, for no one had ever known him to smile or speak an unnecessary word.

VOA: special.2011.02.26

"It is absolutely unacceptable to have individuals suffering in silence because they're afraid their peers or superiors will make fun of them,or worse, it will adversely affect their careers,".

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

That might be perfectly fine for an employee progressing toward mid-level management, for whom agreement or silence can mean being a good soldier, a team player.

FORBES: Leadership

In effect, these new genes muffle or silence other genes.

FORBES: Scientists Ask: What Is A Gene, Anyway?

The target of the criticism then files a frivolous lawsuit just so they can issue a subpoena to the Web site or Internet Service Provider (ISP) involved, discover the identity of their anonymous critic, and intimidate or silence them.

FORBES: 'Skanks in NYC' blogger plans $15 million lawsuit against Google