1
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
immediately squelched any signs of rebellion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of squelch
Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
The major social-media and tech companies have already done their share to pervert civil discourse and shatter consensus and squelch reason, all to make a buck.
—Sam Lipsyte, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022
PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, Trump's efforts to squelch the conversation, strong-arm the press, and threaten reporters who ask Epstein questions may work.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
The major social-media and tech companies have already done their share to pervert civil discourse and shatter consensus and squelch reason, all to make a buck.
—Sam Lipsyte, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022
Noun
Russia’s restrictions arrive amid signs the Kremlin might try to ban WhatsApp and Telegram entirely in an effort to squelch dissent.
—PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, Trump's efforts to squelch the conversation, strong-arm the press, and threaten reporters who ask Epstein questions may work.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
-
Although Canon had mandated that the Cat's programmability be suppressed, the IAI team nevertheless maintained the ability to compute expressions, which Canon permitted as an extension of the editor metaphor.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
However, the country's typically strict online censors did not appear to be limiting discussion in the comments—a tactic often used to suppress sensitive or politically awkward narratives.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 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
-
In the background of the video, the 35-year-old could be heard mumbling offscreen before Megan playfully shushed him.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Boys in blue training kits gather in pockets of shade and trade wisecracks.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Nearly every inch of the bar’s narrow interior is plastered with glowing beer logo signs, neon strip lights and posters jeering with bawdy bar jokes and wisecracks.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Five people died and 140 police officers were injured before the insurrection was quelled.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In its way, this was a high occasion of state, an opportunity for the government to make a display of its brisk, sober ability to act, and to quell the unrest that this horrific and very public murder had aroused.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Voices of Light will not be silenced.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
As China develops anti-satellite weapons and Russia perfects electronic warfare tactics, the US military is making a strategic bet on navigation systems that adversaries cannot silence.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even an otherwise neutral comment can be contorted into a sarcastic retort, an insult or a counterattack.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Lanning’s retort might be a sore spot for Gundy, whose contract was restructured in December after a dismal 3-9 season in 2024, with the $1 million savings reportedly being allocated toward the players.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Critics panned Lyles’ subdued initial response and blamed the policies of Charlotte officials for failing to prevent the murder.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Critically, American surveillance technologies allowed a brutal mass detention campaign in the far west region of Xinjiang — targeting, tracking and grading virtually the entire native Uyghur population to forcibly assimilate and subdue them.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Criticism of Israel has been muted within the Republican Party, tracking with surveys that show broad approval of Israel’s military operation among GOP voters.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share