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
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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
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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
-
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
-
Of those, 592 drones and 31 missiles were shot down or otherwise suppressed, the air force said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 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
-
Ohtani singled off of Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer to start the game, which quieted the crowd for a brief moment.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 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
-
Unfortunately, the hopes were crushed.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Twelve days after that statement, Norvell’s Noles crushed the Demon Deacons to snap a nine-game ACC losing streak (dating back to last year) and climb to 4-4 overall.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There have also been plenty of trade rumors regarding Brown that seemed to be silenced.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But last week the Browns silenced the receiver, limiting him to one catch for 15 yards.—
Omar Kelly
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
There are so many things that are being repressed here, and when Vivian brings them up her mother reacts poorly.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
24 Sep. 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 8 Nov. 2025.
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