Synonyms of quell

quell

verb

ˈkwel 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subdue
• suppress
• repress
• quash
• crush
• stifle
• extinguish
• overcome
• destroy
• squelch
• silence
• sit on
• squash
• crack down (on)
• demolish
• quench
• snuff (out)
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• slap down
• douse
• throttle
• conquer
• strangle
• smother
• ruin
• obliterate
• dominate
• decimate
• exterminate
• overwhelm
• vanquish
• annihilate
• put out
• wipe out
• wreck
• subjugate
• desolate
• overpower
• devastate
• smash
• waste
• nuke
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• aid
• support
• back
• provoke
• stir
• encourage
• abet
• promote
• incite
• foment
• prop up
• instigate
• foster
• further
• forward
• cultivate
• advance
• nurture
• whip (up)
• nourish

2

as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of

the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shush
• silence
• settle
• hush
• mute
• extinguish
• quiet
• dumb
• still
• squelch
• quieten
• shut up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stir
• agitate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of quell

But even cosmetic procedures aren’t guaranteed to quell the feeling that your face isn’t up to snuff. — Nicole Karlis, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Methadone, a powerful medication used to quell withdrawals and help people addicted to opioids achieve stability, is the most effective tool for treating opioid addiction. — Lev Facher, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

But Aegon holds off strategically, vowing to bring his brother to Tumbleton to quell the new threat of Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) before killing Rhaenyra. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026