1
as in subduing
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 shushing
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 quelling
There are plenty of different approaches to quelling snoring, including nasal strips, side sleeping, weight loss and, for those with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine prescribed by a doctor.
—
Ian Kerner, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Even as plenty of doctors have scrambled to address the flaws of the WHI and the benefits of HRT for quelling the symptoms of menopause, women have remained, understandably, deterred by the scary warning.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Nov. 2025
Mann also had a steal and subsequent layup near the tail end of the first quarter, quelling any fears about his health after missing most of last season with a back issue.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Ellis last week expanded her restraining order, requiring all federal agents with body cameras involved in quelling protests to have them on when encountering demonstrators.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Phillies starters Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo did an excellent job quelling Ohtani in the NLDS, keeping him 0-for-6 with four strikeouts.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Rather than quelling terrorist attacks, permanently suppressing Palestinian aspirations would likely fuel an endless insurgency.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Giddey also took a significant step toward quelling concerns about him as a shooter.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Ian Kerner, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Even as plenty of doctors have scrambled to address the flaws of the WHI and the benefits of HRT for quelling the symptoms of menopause, women have remained, understandably, deterred by the scary warning.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Nov. 2025
Mann also had a steal and subsequent layup near the tail end of the first quarter, quelling any fears about his health after missing most of last season with a back issue.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Ellis last week expanded her restraining order, requiring all federal agents with body cameras involved in quelling protests to have them on when encountering demonstrators.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Phillies starters Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo did an excellent job quelling Ohtani in the NLDS, keeping him 0-for-6 with four strikeouts.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Rather than quelling terrorist attacks, permanently suppressing Palestinian aspirations would likely fuel an endless insurgency.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Giddey also took a significant step toward quelling concerns about him as a shooter.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The Dalai Lama has been the key figure quelling violence when grassroots dissatisfaction has escalated into episodic uprisings in Tibet.
—Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quelling
Verb
-
The Giants won in all kinds of encouraging ways while subduing the wild-card-leading Cubs in a 5-2 victory Tuesday night.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The two also showed a demonstration of what a K9 takedown looks like, with Humphries acting as a target and K9 Bob subduing him.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, the then-6-year-old can be seen walking with his iPad to the next room and shushing everyone.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Booing begins, and then shushing, and then booing again.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As Charlotte explains, barely suppressing her resentment, Leroy is concerned that her commitment to the cause could stall his ascent at work.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The damage from Biden’s inner circle suppressing her achievements and letting negative narratives run wild was done.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Blue Jays went on to stun the Dodgers that night, taking the first game 11-4 and quieting early speculation that they would be swept in four games by the defending champs.—
Paula Newton,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Tresemmé Lamellar Gloss Finishing Oil is what stands between you and shampoo-ad levels of shine, locking in luster and quieting frizz with its mix of sunflower, coconut, and macadamia oils.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This week is pushing you to speak up and stop repressing your truth.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Critics, though, have argued that these efforts are serving to distract from the country’s record of repressing free speech and dissent, as well as human rights violations, which have been widely reported.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dozens of pending lawsuits accuse churches of shielding predators, silencing victims and allowing abuse to fester unchecked.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The British did not have legislation as all-silencing as this.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In three full seasons since that postseason run – which concluded quickly as a result of a crushing 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round – Murray has failed to post a winning season as a starter.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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But the tale of the game would be those relief points, just crushing us on the glass.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The newsroom union claims the change is throttling staff diversity and muting the magazine’s progressive political bent.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And Democrats will remain the side fond of muting dissent.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quelling. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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