quell

verb

\ ˈkwel

quelled; quelling; quells

Definition of quell

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity quell a riot

2 : quiet, pacify quell fears

quell

noun

Definition of quell (Entry 2 of 2)

1 obsolete : slaughter

2 archaic : the power of quelling

Other Words from quell Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about quell

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Examples of quell in a Sentence

Verb

the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The District is attempting to quell those dangers, employing more adults to monitor students on their commutes and ramping up security. — Perry Stein, Washington Post, "‘It makes me angry’: For D.C. students, safe passage to school can prove elusive," 6 July 2019 Sarri's neglect of Hudson-Odoi was a source of much discord amongst the Chelsea fanbase, although the player's dissatisfaction was seemingly quelled by an extended run in the team towards the tail end of the season. — SI.com, "Bayern Munich Renew Interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi as Chelsea Contract Talks Continue," 28 June 2019 So will Toy Story 4 and other movies that play better on big screens quell Hollywood’s dread over its declining numbers? — Dan Reilly, Fortune, "Can ‘Toy Story 4’ Defeat Streaming and Rescue Theaters From a Summer Slump?," 21 June 2019 Irving has increasingly been linked to the Brooklyn Nets, and other reports Wednesday will hardly quell that speculation. — Des Bieler, The Denver Post, "The Lakers might just pull off an Anthony Davis trade this time," 13 June 2019 But that did not quell the investigation -- or continuing reports by the Union-Tribune about his specific expenses. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Margaret Hunter admits guilt in campaign-finance scandal," 13 June 2019 To quell concerns about whether city officials could misspend the money, Hollywood commissioners agreed in December to appoint 15 residents to the oversight advisory committee. — Susannah Bryan, sun-sentinel.com, "Wanted: Teen to keep tabs on $165 million," 12 June 2019 After the rebellion was quelled, thirty-eight Dakota were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota, in the largest mass execution in US history. — David Treuer, Harper's magazine, "2020 Vision," 10 Jan. 2019 Since then, Xi has overseen the most extensive effort in recent years to quell Xinjiang, appointing in 2016 the former Tibet party boss Chen Quanguo to lead the troubled region bordering Afghanistan. — Yanan Wang And Dake Kang, Fox News, "China distances children from families to subdue Muslim west," 20 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for quell

Verb

Middle English, to kill, quell, from Old English cwellan to kill; akin to Old High German quellen to torture, kill, quāla torment, Lithuanian gelti to hurt

Noun

Middle English, from quellen to kill

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