STFU

6 synonyms for STFU, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Interjection — An abbreviation of "shut the fuck up", used online and in text messages to tell someone forcefully to stop talking.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

shut up be quiet pipe down zip it no way get out

Synonyms by Meaning

1. interjection vulgar slang

An abbreviation of "shut the fuck up", used online and in text messages to tell someone forcefully to stop talking.

“STFU, nobody asked for your opinion.”

shut up be quiet pipe down zip it

2. interjection vulgar slang

An expression of disbelief or delighted shock at surprising news, roughly equivalent to "no way" or "you're kidding".

“STFU, you actually got the job?”

no way get out shut up

How to use STFU

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

just STFU tell someone to STFU STFU and listen

Vulgar. Fine in casual chat between friends, never appropriate in professional writing.

Etymology

An initialism of "shut the fuck up", from internet and text-message shorthand.

Full origin of STFU →

Frequently asked questions

What does STFU stand for?

It stands for "shut the fuck up". It is written far more often than it is spoken aloud, and when it is spoken people usually say the letters individually rather than the full phrase.

Is STFU always aggressive?

Not always. Between friends it is often jokey, and the second sense — reacting to surprising news — carries no hostility at all. Tone depends heavily on the relationship; to a stranger or a colleague it reads as a genuine insult.

What is the difference between STFU and GTFO?

STFU tells someone to stop talking; GTFO ("get the fuck out") tells them to leave. Both can also be used as expressions of disbelief, but GTFO leans more towards "I don't believe you" while STFU leans towards "I'm stunned".

Nearby words

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