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
Vivian Wang, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
The defendants, who also include producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle, filed a motion to throw out the lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which offers a mechanism to dismiss frivolous suits that are intended to squelch free speech.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 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
The government has worked to squelch any discussion about its response to the pandemic, let alone attempts to reckon with it.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
The defendants, who also include producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle, filed a motion to throw out the lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which offers a mechanism to dismiss frivolous suits that are intended to squelch free speech.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 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
-
To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Older, post-menopausal women are especially susceptible, since lower estrogen levels can lead to decreased levels of beneficial bacteria that suppress infection-causing bacteria.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
And outside of fighting, your companions are always ready to offer some welcome contextual wisecracks or pithy advice in all manner of situations.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Grace provides plenty of comic relief as the jittery prisoner who manages to make snarky wisecracks even while on the verge of dying.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs.—
Victoria Kim,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Rubio sought to quell anxieties among his European counterparts as Trump’s tariffs take effect, the president mulls withdrawing from NATO altogether and U.S. support for Ukraine hangs in the balance.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His detention is an attempt to silence those who speak out against the atrocities in Gaza.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Court officers guided them to seats on benches, instructing them to silence their cell phones.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The subjects’ multifaceted backgrounds — from Arab organizers to Jewish students to community Rabbis — helps weave a multicultural fabric, which becomes, at first, a subtle de facto retort to claims of the protests’ inherent antisemitism, and after a while, a very explicit one.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The issue extends to Mio, too, whose quips or poorly timed retorts to Zoe’s dialogue don’t really align with her generally apathetic persona.—
Kyle Wilson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Subdued volatility Unlike traditional assets, bitcoin’s pops and drops were relatively subdued this week, which some investors took as a mark of its maturity.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Up until last week, the president had been more subdued in his criticism of the central bank than in his first term.—
Colby Smith,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Farrow & Ball Pigeon The green meets gray tones of Farrow and Ball Pigeon are muted and earthy, creating a classic neutral that pushes the envelope just a bit.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Opposition to his decision to restart the fighting has been fairly muted in Israel, though public polls suggest that most people want a deal to end the fighting and free the hostages held in Gaza, and that majorities of voters do not support the prime minister and his coalition.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share