squelch 1 of 2

verb

ˈskwelch How to pronounce squelch (audio)
Definition of squelchnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shush
to stop the noise or speech of his irritated glare squelched any other potential objectors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

squelch

2 of 2

noun

as in wisecrack

Related Words

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
Verb
His first response is to squelch his mutation, much like Bruce Banner keeps the Hulk in check with a handy inhibitor. — ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 The Atlanta metro has been going back and forth between squelching heat and major storms. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Noun
Ritchie’s raps feel pointed and specific, and even the flashier moments—electronic squelches that burst and break like an Arca production—pack a harder punch in their containment. — Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
  1. suppress
  2. shush
  3. wisecrack
  4. quell
  5. silence
  6. retort
  7. subdue
  8. mute
Verb
  • These adjectives express the behavior that Reilly studied movies to learn how to suppress.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Becerra seems to either be suppressing a cough or hyperventilating at the bit of responding to Hilton’s vaccine vacuousness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim went to 3-0 for the week with a crowd-shushing rally from 2 down to a 2-and-1 victory over Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of shush
Noun
  • To Saubert, though, Fleury stands out much more for his skill than his opportune wisecracks.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Parton was a master at meeting wisecracks about her shapely figure with her own one-liners.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wisecrack
Verb
  • Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Riot police deployed to quell a protest typically arrange themselves into a square tactical unit.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of quell
Verb
  • What’s worse, the law put the onus on them to ask to be silenced.
    — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • History was repeating, ancient bonds once damaged in war, silenced, and soothed in the quiet moments after.
    — Nicky Robertson, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of silence
Noun
  • Her son is a carbon copy of his dad — looks like him and acts like him, particularly with his funny comments, comebacks and retorts.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Our minds generate sharp retorts or zingers that would eviscerate or humiliate them.
    — Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of retort
Verb
  • His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Abiy has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Instead of the live stream being cut, or at the very least muted between players talking to reporters, KCRA's rolled on, and two female reporters in attendance were caught making quite the admissions about LaVine and Simmons.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Colors, especially reds, were often a bit muted, probably due to the combination of the limited color coverage and modest brightness.
    — Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of mute

Browse Nearby Words

squeezing off
squelch
squelched
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Cite this Entry

“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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