squelch

1 of 2

verb

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 adjective

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
The Fed needs to be seen as independent and tough, and to squelch inflation, as Mr. Volcker did. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 He was also accused of trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2023 Eager to let their hair down following a year in which the annual festivities were squelched by Covid, the crowd, made up mostly of people in their 20s, instead walked into a death trap. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2023 In those legal proceedings, Kennedy framed his case as one of a humble football coach whose quiet prayers were squelched by a hostile school district. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2023 And institutions should be supporting discussion, not squelching it. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2023 Michel was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration. Lindsay Whitehurst, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023 The Chinese government is pouring billions of dollars annually into a global campaign of disinformation, using investments abroad and an array of tactics to promote Beijing’s geopolitical aims and squelch criticism of its policies, according to a new State Department assessment. Michael R. Gordon, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2023 As a young reporter, Wolfe rebuffed ambitious Sen. John F. Kennedy’s attempt to squelch an article. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2023
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 The major social-media and tech companies have already done their share to pervert civil discourse and shatter consensus and squelch reason, all to make a buck. Sam Lipsyte, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022 Finally, an electronic squelch. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023 So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions. CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021 Those subtitles became a sensation among fans: [Tentacles undulating moistly], [wet footsteps squelch], [tense music intensifies] are as memorable as Vecna himself. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 July 2022 With every mile walked, every sprain of ankle, every squelch of bog, the beer tasted sweeter. Oliver Smith, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2020 With a small, one-handed hoe, a planter opened a hole in the wet earth, which parted with a squelch. New York Times, 13 July 2022 Squelch, squelch, squish, grunt, clang, yell, grunt, clang, squish, squish, squidge. Jess Grey, Wired, 16 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squelch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of squelch was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near squelch

Cite this Entry

“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squelch. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

squelch

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on squelch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!