1
as in to subdue
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown
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Recent Examples of quell
Council members had long pledged to quell gang violence and improve life for Haiti but fell overwhelmingly short.
—
Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
But lawmakers and the GOP base might need more than a few domestic visits to quell the concerns.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Having someone control the narrative around these issues could help to quell that brewing skepticism.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The right brush will help quell inflammation and promote lymphatic drainage to deliver multiple and lasting benefits.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
But lawmakers and the GOP base might need more than a few domestic visits to quell the concerns.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Having someone control the narrative around these issues could help to quell that brewing skepticism.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The right brush will help quell inflammation and promote lymphatic drainage to deliver multiple and lasting benefits.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Joe Brusuelas, senior economist at RSM US, highlighted a few of those factors when pushing back on White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett’s claim Monday that subdued job gains are primarily the result of lower population figures and higher productivity.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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State Police troopers used a Taser in an attempt to subdue him.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In August 2025, a judge concluded that Vedam had not been given a fair trial due to prosecutors’ efforts to suppress evidence.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That restraint is precisely what feels absent in much of today’s discourse, where criticism of state action is often conflated with hatred of a people, and where historical trauma is sometimes used to silence moral questions rather than deepen them.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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But over the next three minutes, UNLV silenced the home crowd with a rapid 15-0 run spearheaded by 10 points from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn to narrow the Broncos’ lead to 64-62.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two Minneapolis residents were shot to death by federal agents last month in an attempt to repress anti-immigration protests.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The former duchess reportedly owed Johnny O’Sullivan a little under £100,000, which Epstein helped her settle after her bankruptcy in 2010.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Friday, the Sheriff’s Department sought to quash rumors that there was a divide between local and federal investigators, centered on the handling of evidence and which lab it should be sent to.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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In addition to asking that the subpoena be quashed, Wexner sought a protective order that would have barred plaintiffs from questioning him in the case.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, all is hushed and warm, and there is marble beneath our feet.—
Caroline Law,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
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Down at the finish line, the crowd hushed.—
Will Graves,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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