1
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
immediately squelched any signs of rebellion
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Recent Examples of squelch
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
That moonlight will squelch all but the very brightest of meteors.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
Over an hour later, my hair is still damp, and my shoes squelch with each step.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
That moonlight will squelch all but the very brightest of meteors.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
Poems of ‘human residue’ in a new collection Joe Hall’s poems move between a fist-pounding urgency, the fire and squelch of this moment of our endtime, and a vulnerability hushed and gentle as a nightgown on a laundry line.
—Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
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Leaves not only suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, but are also more environmentally friendly than bark mulch or landscape fabric.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
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His father, Iran's last king, had a close relationship with the United States, but he was also known for suppressing opposition and showering his friends with wealth.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barry Diller was full of wisecracks tonight at the PGA Awards.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2026
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Instead, Marty lies to everyone, holds a co-worker at gunpoint for his pay and, infamously, makes a shocking wisecrack about Auschwitz.—
David Colman,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Khamenei often used the broad range of powers at his disposal to quell dissent.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
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In Utah Territory the US government cracked down on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its impressive theocracy, seeking to quell religious dissent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The city put out a news release naming her and accusing her of endangering lives, disrupting civic engagement, silencing residents, intimidating, and interfering with democracy.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Benny Blanco is kicking off his shoes to silence his dirty feet critics.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The hearing also lacked contentious partisan moments, but there were some sharp retorts.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
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Affleck's Will retorts as a wink to David Schwimmer's line as Ross Geller to Aniston's Rachel Green on Friends.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even so, the reaction of the market has been relatively subdued, said David Butter, an energy expert on the Middle East at the Chatham House think tank.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Video from the scene shows a security detail member being taken to the ground as officers worked to subdue the suspects.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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There is always, of course, the option to mute or exit the group, which is now possible to do quietly, without announcing it or leaving behind a digital trail.—
Sara Lieberman,
Curbed,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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