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
So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions.
—CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021
Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The ruling was a win for testing giants Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp as well as for academic medical centers, which frequently make their own lab tests and had argued that the Biden administration rule would squelch innovation and drive up compliance costs by more than $1 billion a year.
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions.
—CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021
Noun
The fact that the earnings were part of a Kickstarter campaign and never released didn't squelch the rumors.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The ruling was a win for testing giants Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp as well as for academic medical centers, which frequently make their own lab tests and had argued that the Biden administration rule would squelch innovation and drive up compliance costs by more than $1 billion a year.
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
-
Sandra Lynn Hemme filed the suit Thursday, which accuses investigators of fabricating evidence, coercing a false confession and suppressing evidence that could have proven her innocence.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
-
Past research, Jansen notes, has found that cannabis can suppress the immune system through its active compounds: CBD, THC and other minor cannabinoids.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
For a start, the cheers from the nearby Andy Murray Arena are loud and booming, but so too is the exclusive balcony area hanging just to the side of the court, where people are sipping their wine or their Pimm’s and chatting loudly (the judge on court 1 has to shush them at one point).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
The crowd had just spent an entire overtime shushing each other.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Paytas diehards were quick to link the two, flooding the internet with wisecracks about her third child once again carrying the soul of a prominent cultural icon.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
-
On the show, O’Brien deploys his Boston brogue to offer a mix of wisecracks and humblebrags.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
After years of smoking to help quell her anxiety, Tish found that the drug only made things worse.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
Don’t have a problem using the National Guard to quell rioting in Los Angeles, your anti-democracy.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Still, many progressives, including some political leaders, saw a nefarious motive and a brazen attempt to silence an outspoken liberal voice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
-
And as long as the law remains on the books, the threat of enforcement will continue to hang over pastors and churches like a sword, silencing some through fear and confusion.—
Lauren Cooley,
Sun Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
On the golf course, whenever his more athletic playing partners start talking trash, Baumgartner has his retort at the ready.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
The seething retort against Drake not only rattled the 6 God and his disciples but unequivocally lunged Lamar into God mode.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
But Vásquez Lasso’s partner that day, Officer Miguel Enciso, instead used his Taser to subdue Steven Montano, 21, who is charged with first-degree murder and other felonies in the March 1, 2023, slaying.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
-
The overall inflation rate in the Bay Area has remained subdued in recent months.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Their shoulders are cooking beneath their shirts; the women have scarlet necks, the red of their arms is barely muted by muslin sleeves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
The buzz surrounding the Cubs hosting the 2027 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field was muted in Atlanta with no announcement last week.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share