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
But the speculation in space, nuclear, mobility, and quantum names must be quelled to get a real ending to this.
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Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
The incident made national headlines, but did little to quell tensions in Portland.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Feds try to tamp down worries about drone sightings
Federal authorities sought to quell concerns about drone sightings in New Jersey and other states, as President-elect Donald Trump spoke out and lawmakers proposed the deployment of drone-tracking devices.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
As well as Gunther was booked as Intercontinental Champion, even a successful title defense at Saturday Night’s Main Event can’t quite quell concerns about his recent booking.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quell 
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
The incident made national headlines, but did little to quell tensions in Portland.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Feds try to tamp down worries about drone sightings
Federal authorities sought to quell concerns about drone sightings in New Jersey and other states, as President-elect Donald Trump spoke out and lawmakers proposed the deployment of drone-tracking devices.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Dec. 2024
As well as Gunther was booked as Intercontinental Champion, even a successful title defense at Saturday Night’s Main Event can’t quite quell concerns about his recent booking.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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The ceremony, traditionally celebratory, was subdued as protesters gathered outside the Capitol in San Juan.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Officers subdued her, handcuffed her and called fire rescue.Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Back then, Mason was the kind of person who got excited about camera placement on a mountain to capture just the right shot as a downhill ski racer shushed past.Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
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Other players use this tactic too, including Djokovic’s friend Nick Kyrgios (on many occasions), Sebastian Korda at this year’s Italian Open in Rome, and Taylor Fritz, who shushed an entire stadium after beating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech at Roland Garros in 2023.Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 13 July 2024
Verb
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There must be severe consequences for the concerted effort to suppress the public’s knowledge of Biden’s cognitive deficits.Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024
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Lipton felt the lack of scoring, excitement and substantial press coverage combined to suppress local support.Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Attempts to question Fernández de Kirchner’s authority are silenced brutally – just ask ex president Alberto Fernández, or Axel Kicillof.Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Kennedy’s allies and a dedicated PAC, American Values 2024, have framed opposition to his selection as having been orchestrated by pharmaceutical companies to silence him and impede his efforts to make America healthy.Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Tim starts out middle class, conservative, repressed in his sexuality, and his habit of drinking milk represents those values, Nyswaner says.Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
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The sanctions, primarily levied by Western countries,aimed to curb the Syrian regime’s ability to fund its military operations and repress dissent, and force it to the negotiating table.Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Money also helps cordon off the boundaries of an exchange: Once the service has been provided and the money handed over, each party can walk away knowing they’re settled up.Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
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Traditional Medicinals Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea $30 at Amazon Don’t settle for an airline’s food and beverage offerings.Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In 2021, the government of Boris Johnson approved the plans—over opposition from local residents—only to have the decision quashed in court because of legislation, dating from 1900, which forbids further construction in the park.Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
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After seven weeks, Deng had the protests quashed ruthlessly, in the process foreclosing the political democratization that Hu had hoped for.Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Giddy with excitement over the end of season win, Biles posted a video of her and her friend after the game attempting to celebrate quietly while hushing and grinning ear to ear.Rachel Flynn, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
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Squabbling coaches — Tindall had put his fingers to his lips to hush Unai Emery after Duran’s departure, earning invective in response — added to the sense of renaissance.George Caulkin, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near quell
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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