we generally prefer to use 默不作声 ratherthan 默不吭声.
it's a idiom that means hold one's tongue; keep silence; keep quiet [silent]; keep a calm sough; keep mum; refrain from comment; abstain from speaking; (as) mute as a fish .
for example:讨论会上,大家都对提出的问题踊跃发表意见,而他却一直默不作声.