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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quell
With China restricting exports, the Australian government has tried to quell public fear to prevent panic buying.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 Apr. 2026
At a congressional hearing, a combative Bondi tried to quell the Epstein files controversy.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The hearing At a congressional hearing, a combative Bondi tried to quell the Epstein files controversy.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Fields believes that Chatfield was trying to quell an argument between Smalls and another tenant when he was shot.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 Apr. 2026
At a congressional hearing, a combative Bondi tried to quell the Epstein files controversy.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The hearing At a congressional hearing, a combative Bondi tried to quell the Epstein files controversy.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Fields believes that Chatfield was trying to quell an argument between Smalls and another tenant when he was shot.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Betts subdued the momentum with a block on Booker’s layup attempt with 20 seconds left, and Rice then made two free throws, sending Close’s crew into the title game.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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There, the pioneers—practical, inventive, restless, exuberant white men—clashed with Indigenous peoples, subduing them and a wilderness filled with wild animals and abundant natural resources.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The six tell the woman to shush/hush.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ukraine's air force, meanwhile, said its forces faced 6,462 Russian drones and 138 missiles of various types across the course of the month, of which 5,833 drones and 102 missiles -- around 90% of drones and just under 74% of missiles -- were intercepted or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Declining immigration is constraining labor supply, higher productivity is suppressing labor demand, business activity captured by our Texas Business Outlook Surveys recently moderated, and geopolitical uncertainty is elevated.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If anyone doubted the region’s prominence in the sport, Betts says the naysayers have been silenced.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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But Spokane’s Joe Gallardo jumped in front of the clearance at the edge of the box, beat Andema to the loose ball and tapped it in from 10 yards out before raising a finger to his lips to silence AC Boise’s supporters section.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reforms often required strong executive power, largely at the expense of social stability and democratic legitimacy; protests against the IMF’s programs left scores dead as authorities repressed dissent.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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Iran, where major protests in January were brutally repressed, has between 50% and 60% under 30.—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While the daily hustle is just beginning for many, evidenced by the amount of foot traffic spotted passing by through the glass windows of the hotel’s restaurant, Jeff Peterson settles in to momentarily enjoy the Hornets’ metamorphosis and enthusiasm engulfing the franchise.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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The ball bounced back toward the hole and ended up settling off the green.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For decades, Iran’s rulers have quashed organized political opposition.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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For decades, Iran’s rulers have quashed organized political opposition.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As Mitski played a five-night engagement at Hollywood High School this past week, any teachers who might have made it into the school auditorium for the shows must have been insanely jealous of how hushed her audiences were, at least between songs, when a hush was called for.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
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The keys are satisfying to type on and impressively hushed without feeling mushy.—
Aubrey Jowers,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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