clamming up Synonyms

Strongest:

to become silent

The witness abruptly clammed up after the lawyer's relentless cross-examination.
The child clammed up when asked about the broken window, fearing punishment.
The suspect's silence and evasiveness made it clear that they were clamming up to protect someone.
The accused clammed up entirely, refusing to offer any explanation or alibi for their actions.
The therapist suspected foul play when their client clammed up at the mention of their father.
The teenager clammed up whenever her parents tried to talk to her about her school life.
The detective knew that the suspect was clamming up because their body language was revealing their unease.
The politician clammed up on the issue of campaign finance, fearing that their response would damage their chances of election.
The journalist's questions about the company's financial practices caused the CEO to clam up instantly.
The teacher realized that the student was clamming up because of a lack of confidence in their abilities.

to become silent

holding one's peace,drying up, piping down, settling (down), cooling (down), belting up, dummying up, shutting up, hushing, quieting (down)

speaking up,speaking, talking, spouting (off), speaking out, sounding off,talking up,piping up

The witness abruptly clammed up after the lawyer's relentless cross-examination.

The child clammed up when asked about the broken window, fearing punishment.

The suspect's silence and evasiveness made it clear that they were clamming up to protect someone.

The accused clammed up entirely, refusing to offer any explanation or alibi for their actions.