quell

1 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 clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, repress, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress Related Words douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench; smother, stifle, strangle, throttle; annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck; exterminate, obliterate, wipe out; conquer, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subdue, subjugate, vanquish Phrases sit on Near Antonyms abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up); advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

2 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 dumb, extinguish, hush, mute, silence, quiet, quieten [chiefly British], settle, shush, shut up, squelch, stillNear Antonyms agitate, stir