QUELL Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

quell

verb

ˈkwel

Definition of quell

as in to subdue

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stir
agitate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of quell And the way the two of them, but particularly former President Obama, respond probably doesn’t help quell the rumors. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 June 2026 The security adjustments aren’t expected to quell Mexico’s World Cup fever. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Phillies reliever Jonathan Bowlan pitched out of trouble to quell the Pirates in the eighth, and 34-year-old journeyman Lou Trivino, promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day, closed the Pirates out. — CBS News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for quell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell

Verb

Cops on foot chased the teen down, using a Taser to subdue him near Rogers Ave.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
For all the bombast surrounding the official proceedings, beginning with the UFC fight at the White House, elsewhere the mood has seemed subdued.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Definition of shush

Verb

Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
When coated onto a polypropylene separator with graphene, the material formed a thin interfacial layer that readily absorbed electrolyte while suppressing polysulfide migration.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

The case has prompted widespread condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations, which have accused Beijing of using national security laws to silence dissent.

— Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Spectators should silence their phones near the court To further reduce distractions, Wimbledon's official 2026 Ticket Holder Handbook lists cell phone rules attendees should abide by while watching matches.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of silence

Verb

Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

Sometimes this was committed to good, such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps, and sometimes to ill, as in a series of military blunders meant to quash godless Communism.

— Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
But the organization's culture and systems quashed the sharing of that information.

— Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of quash

Verb

The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.

— Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Behind the station doors are 150 polished European-style rooms, hushed corridors and a few magnificent surprises.

— David Hochman, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of hush

Browse Nearby Words

queers

quell

quelled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of quell

verb

Example Sentences

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