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
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 22 Mar. 2025
Porter, 28, helped dig a fire break to prevent the blaze from spreading and used a mule team to haul water to squelch the blaze.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions.
—CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
But Democrats and other Trump critics worry about a broader attempt to squelch dissent.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 22 Mar. 2025
Porter, 28, helped dig a fire break to prevent the blaze from spreading and used a mule team to haul water to squelch the blaze.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
-
The Empire started mining the planet for energy and suppressing the Ghormans, so the upstart rebels attack a transport ship full of supplies.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
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But its assertions are characteristic of the Trump administration’s systemic denial of trans lives, and signal further movement by HHS toward policies that seek to suppress trans identities among young people.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
1 May 2025
Verb
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One day at the Scottish Open, a volunteer held up the quiet sign and shushed the crowd as Morikawa prepared to hit from the fairway.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Fathers shushed babbling toddlers as their wives snuck out to change infants’ diapers.—
Carlos Nogueras Ramos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
While the rest of the baseball world was exchanging pranks, put-ons, and wisecracks, the cracks got bigger in a foundation that looks like it was shaken, not stirred – as James Bond used to say in ordering a martini.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Garcia inspired a steady stream of social media wisecracks by pairing the red hat and shirt for his LIV Golf team, Fireballs GC, with bright yellow pants.—
Brooks Peck,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those rumors were quelled a bit when Smith was traded for, but Las Vegas might still be making a play to land the star quarterback prospect.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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The mind games that are typically part of every Miami game were quelled by Vancouver’s fearless play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the past, survivors have been silenced or discouraged by a system that often sided with abusers.—
Ali Martin,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Trump, through his onslaught of executive orders, wants to see the adversaries silenced.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Last week, Johnson’s office walked back one of his sharpest retorts to Trump yet, over the president’s threats to revoke funds from school districts that promote diversity, equity and inclusion practices.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Cena delivered more gems on the mic, but Rhodes had some solid retorts.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Check out these suggestions, each of which, if multiplied by others, can help subdue climate change: Choose airlines that offer carbon offset programs.—
Lea Lane,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The end, at 7:35 a.m., Monday was subdued and pain-free.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Canadiens at that point had not generated a whole lot offensively, the game appeared on the verge of tilting in the Capitals’ favor, and the Bell Centre crowd had been somewhat muted — or at least a bit less of a factor.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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So the response at a recent energy security conference to U.S. energy policies was muted yet pointed.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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