1
as in suppressed
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
2
as in shushed
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
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 quelled
None of the measures have quelled the public outcry.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
The Tiger defense quelled a red-hot Commodore offense for most of the game, and on the other side, Mizzou made a pair of trips to the red zone.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
The ensuing years of widespread speculation, meme coins, volatility, and the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX quelled any remaining enthusiasm.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2025
The large police presence, with a handful of riot vans positioned between the protestors and the stadium entrance, quelled any threat of violence until a small flashpoint close to half-time — tear gas was briefly used to disperse activists who attempted to break through police barricades.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
That argument hasn’t quelled internal frustration.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
For decades, DeLodder said, hospitals have quelled the establishment of freestanding birthing centers by arguing against their necessity.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Offered a chance to explain any reluctance to stay in the NBA, the Lithuanian center once again quelled the topic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
The Tiger defense quelled a red-hot Commodore offense for most of the game, and on the other side, Mizzou made a pair of trips to the red zone.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.
—Connor Greene, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
The ensuing years of widespread speculation, meme coins, volatility, and the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX quelled any remaining enthusiasm.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2025
The large police presence, with a handful of riot vans positioned between the protestors and the stadium entrance, quelled any threat of violence until a small flashpoint close to half-time — tear gas was briefly used to disperse activists who attempted to break through police barricades.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
That argument hasn’t quelled internal frustration.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
For decades, DeLodder said, hospitals have quelled the establishment of freestanding birthing centers by arguing against their necessity.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Offered a chance to explain any reluctance to stay in the NBA, the Lithuanian center once again quelled the topic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quelled
Verb
-
The fresh evidence of how internal dissent was suppressed for the sake of diplomatic relationships exposes a broader crisis of impunity for crimes committed against journalists, and the failure of states to hold other states accountable.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This may have resulted in cooling that had until now suppressed the sublimation of water ice to steam.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jena asked, for which she was shushed), that was spotted and strong enough to kill a man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The critics, producers hoped, might be subdued.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Musk’s reaction to Isaacman’s re-nomination was celebratory but subdued.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Hoosiers quieted the 107,000 strong crowd in State College, Pennsylvania.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The man twirled a weighted knife in his fingers and looked down with cold eyes that quieted the couple.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While the President was met with boos, so were the Commanders as they were crushed 44-22 by the Detroit Lions.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The persistence of terrorism in Nigeria, whose northern states abut the West African Sahel region, has strategic implications for the country and beyond if the trend is not reversed and decisively crushed.—
Kingsley Moghalu,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
High school students must store their devices with ringers silenced, and may not use them during instructional time.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In an hour’s span, three trucks leaving the construction site silenced the conversation, growling loudly down Rockland Drive.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Perceptive politicians understand that a rising opposition force that aims to replace the entire system has to be co-opted, not simply repressed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This Committee was initially created during the McCarthy Era, a dark time when the federal government repressed and persecuted American citizens for their political beliefs.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After two years, the brutal war that started with Hamas' seizure of hostages and led to Israel's bombardment of Gaza was stilled.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The service lasted more than five hours, but the moment that stilled the crowd came when his widow, Erika, spoke of her husband’s killer in the language of absolution.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quelled. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share