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
Relevance
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
Trump has deployed the national guard to cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Memphis to quell protests against stricter immigration enforcement.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
First, hotter temperatures seem to quell the virus, and the weather is getting cooler.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Mann also had a steal and subsequent layup near the tail end of the first quarter, quelling any fears about his health after missing most of last season with a back issue.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
First, hotter temperatures seem to quell the virus, and the weather is getting cooler.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Mann also had a steal and subsequent layup near the tail end of the first quarter, quelling any fears about his health after missing most of last season with a back issue.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
-
The Arden Arcade crash ended the chase before deputies sent in a K-9 to subdue the suspect, said sheriff’s officials.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Officers then tried to subdue him with less-lethal beanbag rounds and a K-9 unit, but those attempts were unsuccessful.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, the then-6-year-old can be seen walking with his iPad to the next room and shushing everyone.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The View has a long history of guests receiving sustained standing ovations — and Goldberg attempting to shush rowdy audience members.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Higher rates reduce investment, spending, and economic activity, which naturally suppresses hiring.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The reason for this striking look is the inhibitor gene which suppresses pigment deposition at the base of the hair shaft, giving the cat the shimmering effect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Most notably, clowns were tamed, silenced, and directed to reimagine their physical comedy to appeal to the youngest viewers.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Others said preachers twisted scripture to silence them.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This week is pushing you to speak up and stop repressing your truth.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Critics, though, have argued that these efforts are serving to distract from the country’s record of repressing free speech and dissent, as well as human rights violations, which have been widely reported.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Steve Coppell’s team were settled and, in Wright and Mark Bright, blessed with one of the most potent strike partnerships in the country.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Then, a month after Sheen settled in, a typhoon destroyed over half of the sets created for the film, causing production to halt once again.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Now the government is out to quash this plague of poor decision making.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Under his order, Abrego Garcia must respond to the government’s motion to quash the Blanche subpoena by Wednesday, with a DOJ reply due by noon on Thursday.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The vibe is hushed and calming.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
-
McIlroy would hush the USA crowd after putts, while Reed would bow to their applause.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share