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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quell
The case could help redefine how National Guard troops can be deployed to help fight crime and quell disturbances.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
In an attempt to quell the public anger, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday the country’s parliament would listen and act on people’s concerns, pledging to curb hefty allowances for lawmakers.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Just as the Kremlin sought to quell dissent against its vicious campaign in the restive republic, so, too, has a deafening silence accompanied its Ukraine folly.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
In an attempt to quell the public anger, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday the country’s parliament would listen and act on people’s concerns, pledging to curb hefty allowances for lawmakers.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Just as the Kremlin sought to quell dissent against its vicious campaign in the restive republic, so, too, has a deafening silence accompanied its Ukraine folly.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Critics panned Lyles’ subdued initial response and blamed the policies of Charlotte officials for failing to prevent the murder.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Critically, American surveillance technologies allowed a brutal mass detention campaign in the far west region of Xinjiang — targeting, tracking and grading virtually the entire native Uyghur population to forcibly assimilate and subdue them.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jena asked, for which she was shushed), that was spotted and strong enough to kill a man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
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In the background of the video, the 35-year-old could be heard mumbling offscreen before Megan playfully shushed him.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Eight engines, four water tenders, five dozers and two hand crews have been working to suppress the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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This ensures lithium is deposited smoothly across the anode, effectively suppressing dendrite growth even under rapid-charging conditions.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is the product of past administrations, Republican and Democrat, trying to silence victims.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Those moments can silence curiosity and leaders might have no idea that the impact has come from past experiences.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hamas’s response fluctuated between allowing discontent and repressing the demonstrations.—
Leila Seurat,
Foreign Affairs,
26 Aug. 2025
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Most of the international community rejects the idea that Ukraine is repressing Russian language and culture and says Russia launched its invasion under false pretenses.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Science is never settled For decades, it was assumed that AHE was always spin-driven and only occurred in magnetic materials.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
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Keough said her grandmother tried to settle Lisa Marie's estate less than 24 hours after her death in 2023.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Back in 2009, Beijing needed the technology urgently to quash critics bonding online.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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Earlier this year the CEO quashed persistent rumors that Lee was on his way out the door.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
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In her first solo, Dayhuff hushed her sound over the course of the solo; the others onstage followed her.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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