quell

1 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 clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, repress, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress Related Words douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench; smother, stifle, strangle, throttle; annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck; exterminate, obliterate, wipe out; conquer, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subdue, subjugate, vanquish Phrases sit on Near Antonyms abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up); advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

2 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 dumb, extinguish, hush, mute, silence, quiet, quieten [chiefly British], settle, shush, shut up, squelch, stillNear Antonyms agitate, stir