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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quell
In March 2015, then-governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency and authorized a short-term needle exchange program to help quell the outbreak.
—
Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Milwaukee police plan to redirect officers to Water Street met with pushback
Redirecting officers from other areas of the city and specialized teams to help quell violence downtown was met with concern.
—Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Teammates jumped into the fray to helped quell the discord.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2025
Redding is Miami’s first safety for the class and helps quell a, relatively speaking, dry spell on the recruiting trail for the Hurricanes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Milwaukee police plan to redirect officers to Water Street met with pushback
Redirecting officers from other areas of the city and specialized teams to help quell violence downtown was met with concern.
—Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Teammates jumped into the fray to helped quell the discord.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2025
Redding is Miami’s first safety for the class and helps quell a, relatively speaking, dry spell on the recruiting trail for the Hurricanes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
-
The stabbing rampage that took place Saturday, July 26, left 11 people injured before onlookers, one of them apparently armed with a handgun, subdued the suspect in the parking lot outside the store just before police arrived, police said.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
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Along with other bystanders, Perry helped subdue the perpetrator, whom officials identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Verb
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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
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The crowd had just spent an entire overtime shushing each other.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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In response to rising unrest, many governments attempt to repress disgruntled groups or appease them through social programs.—
MARK L. HAAS,
Foreign Affairs,
24 July 2025
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For the first time, researchers have identified a protein that represses the activity of energy-burning brown fat.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 June 2025
Verb
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But if a real estate investment isn’t in the cards at the moment, settle for the next best thing by renting one of the many villas currently listed on Airbnb.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 July 2025
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Gary, though, did have one last piece of business to settle — with Ballard herself, stalking her in the dark of the cold case unit’s basement HQ.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
14 July 2025
Verb
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But on Tuesday, the former president made a rare exception, putting out a statement to quash the rhetoric.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
24 July 2025
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Now, those publications and others have been removed from the DCS website in an effort to quash examples of diversity, equity and inclusion in government.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Walking through its marble corridors and hushed reading rooms, the power of simplicity and permanence struck me.—
Luciana Cemerka,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Inside the airy courtroom, hushed spectators, including Combs’ mother and six adult children, sat on wooden benches.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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