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
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Recent Examples of quell
The United Nations has staged one of the costliest peacekeeping operations in its history in the country, but has not been able to quell the violence.
—
Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Wednesday’s market relief in response to Trump’s Truth Social post indicates the President may have quelled some of the jitters of nervous traders but not those of CEOs.
—Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Those rumors were quelled a bit when Smith was traded for, but Las Vegas might still be making a play to land the star quarterback prospect.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
The mind games that are typically part of every Miami game were quelled by Vancouver’s fearless play.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025
Wednesday’s market relief in response to Trump’s Truth Social post indicates the President may have quelled some of the jitters of nervous traders but not those of CEOs.
—Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Those rumors were quelled a bit when Smith was traded for, but Las Vegas might still be making a play to land the star quarterback prospect.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
The mind games that are typically part of every Miami game were quelled by Vancouver’s fearless play.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Hundreds of Ghor are killed, stormtroopers patrol the streets, and KX-series security droids are unleashed like hulking monsters, subduing random humans to death.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
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Nichols fled after being pulled from his car and was later subdued and struck repeatedly with fists, boots, a Taser and a baton.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
Verb
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One day at the Scottish Open, a volunteer held up the quiet sign and shushed the crowd as Morikawa prepared to hit from the fairway.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Fathers shushed babbling toddlers as their wives snuck out to change infants’ diapers.—
Carlos Nogueras Ramos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Empire started mining the planet for energy and suppressing the Ghormans, so the upstart rebels attack a transport ship full of supplies.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
-
But its assertions are characteristic of the Trump administration’s systemic denial of trans lives, and signal further movement by HHS toward policies that seek to suppress trans identities among young people.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Burke silenced the Royals early at Kauffman Stadium.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2025
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Over time, this avoidance can silence even the most passionate voices.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
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Therefore, he's been repressing his darker instincts.—
Anne Easton,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The fungus is repressed by the acidic layer at the soil’s surface.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article 4 min Christina Haack has settled her divorce from her third husband, Josh Hall.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
4 May 2025
-
The title nears the summit once again on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums rosters, settling at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Those hopes appear to have already been quashed, with Alpine second-bottom in the constructors’ standings with just seven points in six races.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Ninety-two years on, however, there are facets of the magazine that have unequivocally improved, and absurdities that have, thank heaven, been quashed.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Verb
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Timbaland and Nachum often stand off to the side, speaking in emphatic but hushed whispers about new ideas that are coming to them in that moment.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
28 Apr. 2025
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Finally, go ahead and chop 35% off the Google Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds for filling commutes or jogs with bold bass, hushed background noise with ANC, and hands-free Google Assistant commands.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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