QUELL Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

quell

verb

ˈkwel

Definition of quell

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stir
agitate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of quell Ultimately, the reassurances about community resources and air quality failed to quell the fury inside the room as residents took the microphone during the Q&A section and repeatedly expressed feelings of betrayal and mistrust. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 To quell the mounting curiosity, the top GOP leaders and a CNN acolyte shared accounts of lengthy phone calls with the Kentucky Republican. — Gabrielle Banks, USA Today, 10 July 2026 However, moisture from the storms could help quell the flames. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 7 July 2026 Known for his command of ferocious demon-quelling deities, Zhenwu remains a popular deity in Daoist exorcist rituals in places such as Taiwan. — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for quell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell

Verb

He was subdued by federal agents and police officers moments later.

— Alex Nitzberg , Peter D'Abrosca , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
India has been the most prolific IPO market in the world over the last two years, with the highest number listings, but activity was subdued here during the first half of the year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Definition of shush

Verb

Air rises above the now warmer Pacific, then sinks down over parts of the western Atlantic basin, helping suppress the storms that could grow into a tropical system.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The Nazis also took more active measures to suppress the film.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

The former staffers’ attorneys tried to force her to testify in this week’s trial against Basabe, and plaintiffs have pointed to her noncooperation as evidence of the alleged House cover-up of Basabe’s actions and silencing of potential witnesses.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Golden State started with a 12-2 run to silence a rowdy Indiana crowd.

— Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

Definition of silence

Verb

The government of husband-and-wife copresidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, has been carrying out an all-out crackdown on dissent since mass social protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Normally, this modifier gene suppresses the creation of a second kind of hemoglobin, typically made only during fetal development; repressing the gene prompts cells to start making the fetal form of hemoglobin again, which acts as a backup.

— Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of repress

Verb

The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The alum attaches itself to pollutants, including algae, and creates a snowlike mixture that settles to the bottom of the facility’s pond.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The spontaneous rejection comes even after a larger planned protest was quashed by MetLife Stadium security in the hours before the final ceremony.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
The gesture quashes the anger of the won-gwi that the Crown Prince has been using to increase his power, and allows Gu-cheon to get the upper hand.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of quash

Verb

That emphasis on feeling rather than just doing is what sets house hushing apart.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026
The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.

— Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of hush

Browse Nearby Words

queers

quell

quelled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of quell

verb

Example Sentences

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