unable to speak due to shock, surprise, or strong emotion
from speech + -less suffix meaning 'without'
When you're speechless, your speech is LESS than zero - totally gone!
Applied stereotypically to women as a passive emotional state (overwhelmed, unable to respond). Historically frames women's silence as natural rather than systematic silencing.
Use with agency clarity: specify context (technical limitation, respect for listening) rather than emotional passivity. Avoid implying silence is characteristic of women.
["quiet","listening","paused","processing"]
Women's speech barriers stem from institutional silencing (media representation, workplace dynamics), not nature; reframe as structural issues requiring solutions.
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