squelch

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwelch 

squelched; squelching; squelches

transitive verb

1

a

: to fall or stamp on so as to crush

b(1)

: to completely suppress : quell

squelch resistance

(2)

: silence

squelched the protesters

2

: to emit or move with a sucking sound

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a sucking sound

2

: to splash through water, slush, or mire

squelcher noun

squelch

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sound of or as if of semiliquid matter under suction

the squelch of mud

2

: the act of suppressing

especially : a retort that silences an opponent

squelchy

ˈskwel-chē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• clamp down (on)
• crack down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quash
• quell
• repress
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• subdue
• suppress

Examples of squelch in a Sentence

Verb

immediately squelched any signs of rebellion

his irritated glare squelched any other potential objectors

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Danger hangs in the air like the clouds over the fields where Sammie works barefoot, mud squelched between his toes. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

Thought processes are removed and ideas are squelched. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Noun

Suddenly, however, there’s a loud squelch: Myung-gi has shoved a fork up into the flesh under Thanos’s jaw. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024

The energy is uniformly banging, but there’s a wry sense of humor encoded into every errant squelch. —Pitchfork, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1624, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for squelch

• belch
• welsh

Kids Definition

squelch

1 of 2 noun

ˈskwelch 

1

: a sound of or as if of a squishy substance under suction

the squelch of mud

2

: a remark that silences an opponent

squelch

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to fall or stamp on so as to crush

b

: to put an end to by force : quell, silence

2

: to make or cause to make a sucking sound

3

: to splash through water, slush, or mire

squelcher noun