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
The excitement following a superb victory at Manchester City was quelled somewhat by a home defeat to Bournemouth, but optimism endures that Frank’s side can clinch a top-five spot.
—
Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
But that hasn’t quelled interest from surrounding communities to be the franchise’s next home.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
At the time, the performance quelled some concerns that Billy Ray was on the outs with his daughters — something Miley also cleared up in a May statement.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Aug. 2025
Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of Capistrano Unified School District students filled classrooms again after summer break.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
The federal government quelled the uprising in September.
—Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Wide receivers There were concerns about the Broncos’ receiving corps heading into summer, but the revival of redshirt junior Chris Marshall has quickly quelled those fears.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2025
From there, though, the Magic closed within 90-80 late in the third period with a 12-0 run that was quelled by a Pelle Larsson three-point play.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
But the speculation in space, nuclear, mobility, and quantum names must be quelled to get a real ending to this.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
But that hasn’t quelled interest from surrounding communities to be the franchise’s next home.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
At the time, the performance quelled some concerns that Billy Ray was on the outs with his daughters — something Miley also cleared up in a May statement.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Aug. 2025
Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of Capistrano Unified School District students filled classrooms again after summer break.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2025
The federal government quelled the uprising in September.
—Daily Briefing, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Wide receivers There were concerns about the Broncos’ receiving corps heading into summer, but the revival of redshirt junior Chris Marshall has quickly quelled those fears.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2025
From there, though, the Magic closed within 90-80 late in the third period with a 12-0 run that was quelled by a Pelle Larsson three-point play.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
But the speculation in space, nuclear, mobility, and quantum names must be quelled to get a real ending to this.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quelled
Verb
-
Defenders shot down or suppressed 112 drones, the air force said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Until the 1960s, members of this Indigenous minority were discouraged from reindeer herding, and the church and state suppressed their language and culture.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 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
Verb
-
Prestige beauty was flat as the market remained subdued.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
-
There is nothing subdued or conciliatory in its account of the brutal transfer of power which comes when a parent is failing and a child assumes command.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the run game, starting running back Javonte Williams quieted durability concerns with a healthy effort that included two rushing touchdowns on the first two drives.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey made big decisions but also quieted the building down this offseason.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Lions are also coming off a disappointing Week 1 performance, having gotten crushed, 27-13, by the Green Bay Packers.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Every other actor lends a sense of being crushed by the weight of events as well.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In nations such as North Korea, Russia, and China, where dissent is silenced and control is absolute, authoritarians can linger for decades.—
John Hope Bryant,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Pita’s party was particularly popular with Thailand’s youth, who have taken to the streets in recent years clamoring for widespread reform, only to see their movements silenced by prosecutions and their political leaders stymied.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Canvas City is set in a surprisingly rollerblade-first metropolis where creativity has been outlawed — art, music, and free expression have been repressed, but groups seek to fight back against the state, with more than a wink and a nod to the state of affairs around the world in 2025.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Could anyone find happiness when their spouse and job are selected for them, their preferences assiduously repressed, even their dress patterns and fabrics decided by committee?—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some of The Subjects were named, which stilled the others.—
Leila Chatti
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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An intense defensive matchup in the boys' semifinals round ended in another sudden-death round that stilled the entire crowd while sending LA's Terron Williams to the finals.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quelled. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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