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 The break with Callaway was the first sign that Good Good’s attempts at quelling the crisis were not going well after Clark’s statement on social media Wednesday night. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Now, in Season 2, Issa is on the lookout for signs that her boyfriend is crushing on another housemate, while Anton and Paul Baker keep a watchful eye on one another, as much to quell further flirtation as to savor it. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 But Callaway and Good Good’s initial statements did little to quell the blowback. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Another man stepped up with the sheriff to try and quell concerns. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell

Verb

As the President sat down to eat with the press corps, a would-be assassin stormed through a security checkpoint before being subdued by the Secret Service.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
According to Tisch, Cisneros then waved her knives and began to advance on the officers, who attempted to subdue the woman with a Taser before employing lethal force.

— Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 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

The superconductivity weakened with the screening and was eventually completely suppressed.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
The prairies’ clayey soils and other characteristics suppress tree growth, but allow native grasses, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants to thrive.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Labor Day Weekend Headphones Deals The Bose QuietComfort headphones remain the industry benchmark for silencing everyday distractions.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of silence

Verb

Tottenham, repressed for so long in their spending and ambition, are suddenly flashing the cash like a slot machine, dropping £237million ($324m) already.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
And Washington’s campaign against terrorism encouraged its allies to embrace intrusive forms of surveillance and repress potential opposition in the name of security.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of repress

Verb

The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph by Saturday.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Our offensive weapons give Kyler a perfect runway to land the plane, finally settling into an environment that can nurture his skill set and get a payday in a prove-it year.

— Adam Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The character proved a hit with fans when the episodes aired in the summer of 2025, stirring excitement that Reiner might return for the fifth series –— a hope that was quashed by his death.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Nelson Velázquez delivered a go-ahead double and Hader converted his 22nd save in as many chances to quash any debate about Alvarez’s early absence.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of quash

Browse Nearby Words

queers

quell

quelled

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Style

“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of quell

verb

Example Sentences

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