quell

verb

ˈkwel How to pronounce quell (audio)
Definition of quellnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 The quiet moments of the offseason were eventually quelled by the madness of a young locker room, on a team replete with potential. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 The French government has already promised 3,000 extra teachers in a bid to quell the unrest. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Ossoff has repeatedly denied interest in a White House bid, but that hasn’t quelled the talk. — Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 There is something instructive in the agent concluding a diatribe on quelling revolutionary violence with a note about feeling inspired. — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
  1. subdue
  2. shush
  3. suppress
  4. silence
  5. repress
  6. settle
  7. quash
  8. hush
Verb
  • Having asserted their power, voters proved difficult to subdue again.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Police said officers used a less-lethal weapon to subdue Sims and take him into custody.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Bass’ barrages got to Raman more than a few times, leading her to talk over the NBC and Telemundo moderators or even shush them.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • They were repeatedly shushed instead as the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3) fell to 13-10 in their marquee event after failing to keep pace with a USC offense that averaged nearly eight yards per play through the first three quarters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of shush
Verb
  • By failing to suppress a Democratic campaign ad about the scandal, the Republican Party is only calling more attention to the misuse of $10 million meant for Florida’s Medicaid program.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Critics say the changes could suppress overseas turnout; volunteers have responded with VoteBnB, matching voters with rides and places to stay near polling stations.
    — Branimir Pipal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • Freedom eventually left the arena and portrayed the episode as an attempt to silence his views.
    — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The level of organization is surprising, but this is a trend of Jews being portrayed in certain ways and trying to be silenced.
    — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of silence
Verb
  • But overall, no matter what happens in the elections, Israel will continue to repress the Palestinians and strike its enemies.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There has also been a steady rise in governments repressing people outside of their borders.
    — Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of repress
Verb
  • He was educated at Middlebury College, and lived in New York City for 15 years, before settling back on the farm with his wife, Olga, and their children, Fiona and Abraham.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Remember, parents with kids this age are also the ones that are still living with their mom and dad, have to have coloring books and fidget toys at work to settle their nerves and focus and flat out refuse to grow up.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of settle
Verb
  • And, later, a midnight snack of lobster rolls, hot dogs, and pizzas certainly quashed any late-night cravings.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In the other, the department seeks to quash the subpoena and transfer that dispute to the Miami court.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of quash
Verb
  • The lounge is a real scene, especially during afternoon tea, when a perfectly coiffed crowd has hushed discussions about worldly matters.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The park has already taken some steps to hush their new attraction.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hush

Browse Nearby Words

queers
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Cite this Entry

“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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