1
as in suppressed
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
immediately squelched any signs of rebellion
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Recent Examples of squelched
The Blacklist happened, livelihoods were ruined, and freedom of thought was squelched for years as Americans were pushed into a corner of fear and anger.
—
Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Every threat to the Guinness family has been quickly squelched, complications like Olivia’s pregnancy aside, everything seems to be going quite well, honestly.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Those plans were squelched that June.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But their removal by security personnel earlier in the morning squelched those plans, according to current and former employees.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Every threat to the Guinness family has been quickly squelched, complications like Olivia’s pregnancy aside, everything seems to be going quite well, honestly.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Those plans were squelched that June.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But their removal by security personnel earlier in the morning squelched those plans, according to current and former employees.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelched
Verb
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Last month, security forces brutally suppressed nationwide protests, killing thousands and arresting many more in the deadliest suppression of demonstrations in the history of the Islamic Republic.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Students have participated in other forms of protest during the school day, which King and Hendrick said was a reaction to feeling that their voices were suppressed.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Jena asked, for which she was shushed), that was spotted and strong enough to kill a man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If Quebec’s French-Canadian separatist movement and various referenda were ultimately quelled by Canada recognizing that culturally and linguistically unique province as a nation within Canada, then Alberta is headed for a similar result, at best.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
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Haitian immigrants in limbo A federal court ruling to maintain the temporary legal status of Haitian immigrants has not quelled fears for thousands of people in the community.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Brunson quickly silenced the doubters.—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
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Whistled from the start of his Marseille career, Tudor silenced the sceptics in an atmosphere far more hostile than the one awaiting him in north London.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Few churchgoers were willing to speak publicly afterward and the atmosphere was subdued.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Joe Brusuelas, senior economist at RSM US, highlighted a few of those factors when pushing back on White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett’s claim Monday that subdued job gains are primarily the result of lower population figures and higher productivity.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Arrange a tender ceremony After the explosion of color and dancing that was the mehndi, the couple quieted things down for their wedding ceremony, which was purposefully and carefully organized not to be tied to any one religion or culture.—
Kaitlin Menza,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Those rumors have largely quieted, however, as the Tigers loaded up for a third consecutive playoff berth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actors’ interactions are charged, but the slow burn of Brontë’s characters’ hatred and yearning is muted.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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For some, though, conversations about ICE have been muted by fear.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now, all is hushed and warm, and there is marble beneath our feet.—
Caroline Law,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Down at the finish line, the crowd hushed.—
Will Graves,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squelched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelched. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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