Startled Silence is a phrase that describes the sudden quietness that follows a surprise or shock. It is often used to describe the reaction of a group of people who have been taken aback by something unexpected. The term can also be used to describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation. HUSH is a 4 letter word that is often used to describe the sudden quietness that follows a surprise or shock, and is an appropriate crossword solution for Startled Silence.