1
as in to subdue
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown
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Recent Examples of quell
The company has tapped former CEO Stephen Hemsley to replace Witty, becoming the latest company to turn to an experienced executive to take the helm, in the hopes of quelling investor concerns amid economic uncertainty.
—
Sneha S.k, USA Today, 16 May 2025
For even more defense against tired-looking eyes, there’s also a marine bacteria ferment in the formula, which helps quell puffiness.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 6 May 2025
It’s also infused with aloe and calendula extracts, which are soothing to skin and help quell redness.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 15 May 2025
Several protesters were injured, some of them critically, by Flash-balls fired by riot police, or by cops sent out to quell demonstrations that were growing increasingly unwieldy.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Sneha S.k, USA Today, 16 May 2025
For even more defense against tired-looking eyes, there’s also a marine bacteria ferment in the formula, which helps quell puffiness.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 6 May 2025
It’s also infused with aloe and calendula extracts, which are soothing to skin and help quell redness.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 15 May 2025
Several protesters were injured, some of them critically, by Flash-balls fired by riot police, or by cops sent out to quell demonstrations that were growing increasingly unwieldy.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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One of the suspects had to be subdued with a stun gun.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
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Investment spending picked up around 2016 but hit a wall with Covid, and has been subdued since.—
William Dunkelberg,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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But, when Lydia attempts to explain herself, Tina shushes her.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
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The host had to shush the boisterous crowd more than once to focus their attention on the items for sale.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Eight engines, three water tenders, two dozers and one hand crew are working to suppress the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 May 2025
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And in 1955, the McGee Fire burned through much of Converse Basin, consuming second-growth sequoias and demonstrating the dangers of suppressing all fires.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The majority on the Commissioners Court shouldn’t seek to silence minority voices through a violation of the Voting Rights Act, the letters said.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2025
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There would be no better way to silence the doubters than by coming out and taking the big leap everyone has been expecting from him.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Rogers claimed the trauma had been repressed until 2019.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 May 2025
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Like other international broadcasters funded by the U.S. government, the mission is to provide fair news coverage in areas where a free press is not robust enough to operate, or is repressed by authorities.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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They were welcomed into the world at 29 weeks and spent some time in NICU before settling into their home with their two brothers, who are now two and four years old.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Instead, the zoning dispute will be settled in court.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Others point to seeking change through economic actions like the Black-church led boycott of Target after the retail giant quashed its diversity initiatives.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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The owner is certainly of the belief that this quashes any anxious feelings the dog might have about being left behind.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Verb
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That 2-1 defeat was a stinger — Tōko Koga’s decisive goal in the 50th minute hushed an otherwise raucous San Diego crowd.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Young Morrison got a harsh lesson in how things are done in a blue state: Liberal groupthink is gospel, dissenters are heretics who should be hushed.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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