Synonyms of quelled

quelled

verb

past tense of quell

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

• suppressed
• subdued
• crushed
• repressed
• quashed
• silenced
• extinguished
• stifled
• destroyed
• squashed
• overcame
• squelched
• sat on
• demolished
• quenched
• slapped down
• throttled
• snuffed (out)
• clamped down (on)
• cracked down (on)
• put down
• conquered
• obliterated
• dominated
• doused
• smothered
• ruined
• strangled
• decimated
• wrecked
• vanquished
• overwhelmed
• annihilated
• exterminated
• smashed
• put out
• wasted
• subjugated
• wiped out
• devastated
• overpowered
• desolated
• nuked
• rubbed out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• helped
• aided
• supported
• assisted
• backed
• stirred
• provoked
• instigated
• abetted
• encouraged
• incited
• propped up
• whipped (up)
• forwarded
• promoted
• cultivated
• fostered
• fomented
• furthered
• advanced
• nurtured
• nourished

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

• shushed
• quieted
• silenced
• stilled
• muted
• hushed
• settled
• extinguished
• squelched
• quietened
• shut up
• dumbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stirred
• agitated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of quelled

Indeed, economic grievances prompted days of nationwide demonstrations in January – quelled only when security forces killed at least 7,000 people, and perhaps thousands more. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026

Bradman was the top run scorer for Australia but had only one century in the series, suggesting his threat had been quelled. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Coach Regis Le Bris appears to have quelled that for this summer, citing a lack of other striking options beyond Brian Brobbey in a season where his side have European football to contend with on top of domestic matters. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, officials have quelled concerns about nearby nuclear power stations. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 July 2026

As the activist Assata Olugbala Shakur remarks, the chains of oppression can be broken with love, support, and care, and the Black radical imagination cannot be quelled even when our lives are on the line. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

If anyone was worried about a lack of personality from SEC coaches this coming season, their fears were likely quelled during SEC Media Days this week. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Burke said Washington left Bedford, confident that the protest had been quelled through his diplomacy. — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026