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
Her new business prompts a lot of criticism, especially from those who previously thought her prudish, but the need to generate income squelches any embarrassment. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 The interview could be attractive for Harris to help squelch questions about avoiding tough interviews. Mike Allen, Axios, 22 Sep. 2024
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 See all Example Sentences for squelch 

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 31 Oct. 2024.

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

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