QUELLS Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

quells

verb

present tense third-person singular of quell

as in suppresses

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

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as in quiets

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

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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 quells So playing Blackjack at home quells some of their desire to do something catastrophic. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Powered by chemical agents, this provides apt UV protection while hyaluronic acid improves hydration levels, niacinamide quells inflammation, and allantoin keeps skin soothed. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 One way Recover quells concerns is through proof-of-concept collections with supply chain partners. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026 While the presumption was always that Messi would renew with the Herons, the news quells any lingering anxiety. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Twenty years later, an adult Guinevere is building her ghostwriting career when her estranged artist brother announces an installation titled Mother, which quells disturbing revelations in Guinevere. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quells

Verb

And not to stress anybody out further, but high cortisol suppresses your immune system and increases inflammation, both of which lead to things like quicker aging and poor long-term health outcomes.

— Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
In recent years, the unit has been the target of public scrutiny for their aggressive response and policing of demonstrations, with some critics saying the unit suppresses people’s right to free speech.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppresses

Verb

Their Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation effectively quiets daily transit hums and crowded office chatter, while custom 40mm drivers pump out rich acoustics backed by customizable Ultra Bass tuning.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Boos or not, the new GM has to decide on the best course of action for the present and future of the franchise, not just the one that quiets things down the quickest.

— Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of quiets

Verb

In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.

— Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026

Definition of subdues

Verb

Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of represses

Verb

Waititi never settles on one either, most often opting for a glibness that treats key aspects of the plot, including Klara’s rudimentary faith, into something like a joke.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Smoke from fires in the Sierra foothills, the North Coast and the northern Sacramento Valley often settles over Sacramento, and late-summer smoke tends to arrive during heat waves.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of settles

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“Quells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quells. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of quells

verb

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