1
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
immediately squelched any signs of rebellion
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Recent Examples of squelch
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
These structured habits—doing the same thing in the same place at the same time of day—were more likely to lead to long-term success than attempting to squelch counterproductive impulses in the moment.
—Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
Gracie’s discovery is squelched and this character’s value to the play comes in establishing how institutional silence can have an equally pernicious impact on confronting social hatreds.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
These structured habits—doing the same thing in the same place at the same time of day—were more likely to lead to long-term success than attempting to squelch counterproductive impulses in the moment.
—Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Poems of ‘human residue’ in a new collection Joe Hall’s poems move between a fist-pounding urgency, the fire and squelch of this moment of our endtime, and a vulnerability hushed and gentle as a nightgown on a laundry line.
—Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
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Things like trying to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney's Office, trying to get some of the evidence suppressed, trying to get a contempt order because the prosecutors violated the court's gag order.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
-
One key group that appeared to be suppressed, Prevotella species, may interfere with the production of nitric oxide.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
23 June 2026
Verb
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As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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Trae Young won Madison Square Garden’s undying enmity in the 2021 playoffs for the Atlanta Hawks, punctuating game-breaking shots by shushing the crowd or bowing to the fans and waving goodbye.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The wisecrack clearly landed with the audience, though the cameras picked up the late-night host’s face dropping.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
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His wisecracks were kept to a minimum.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Authorities lifted the order hours later as crews quelled the flames.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
18 June 2026
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But the back half is a heady object lesson in the limits of partnership—how even the right person can’t fully quell whatever torment lurks in the recesses of one’s consciousness.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Davis crafted a marquee lineup that included Springsteen, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jennifer Hudson, The Killers and Paul Simon, but a massive thunderstorm silenced the show before many of the top names could perform.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
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Your method of dismissing your flippant remarks, then, is probably the next best option to silence.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Rob-Will's bloody-mouthed Rip retort was just as classic.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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Already the encyclical letter is being interpreted by many as a clear and concise retort to Silicon Valley about the future of civilization.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
25 May 2026
Verb
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This set is subdued and classic, yet still ideal for the season.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
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Investors need to see traffic through the strait rise meaningfully in the coming weeks and months at a minimum to keep prices subdued.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
In equities trading, the energy sector continued to limp as oil prices fell, but the declines were muted compared to Monday when oil lost nearly 5%.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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