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
Any news about Nix’s ankle rehab has been quiet since the Broncos quarterback took to the media to quell concerns about a preexisting ankle issue following some strange post-season messaging from Payton.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Government forces brought reinforcements into Suqaylabiyah, quelling the violence.
—Omar Albam, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
That change didn’t quell the concerns of some lawmakers in both parties, who questioned the wisdom of extending the hours for liquor sales on the grounds that doing so could increase the risk of drunk driving incidents.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
One way Recover quells concerns is through proof-of-concept collections with supply chain partners.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Government forces brought reinforcements into Suqaylabiyah, quelling the violence.
—Omar Albam, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
That change didn’t quell the concerns of some lawmakers in both parties, who questioned the wisdom of extending the hours for liquor sales on the grounds that doing so could increase the risk of drunk driving incidents.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
One way Recover quells concerns is through proof-of-concept collections with supply chain partners.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Betts subdued the momentum with a block on Booker’s layup attempt with 20 seconds left, and Rice then made two free throws, sending Close’s crew into the title game.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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There, the pioneers—practical, inventive, restless, exuberant white men—clashed with Indigenous peoples, subduing them and a wilderness filled with wild animals and abundant natural resources.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 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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Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The San Bernardino County Fire Department tested new technology on Monday designed to help suppress fires by using sound waves.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Acknowledge anxiety, sadness or grief with openness, instead of trying to suppress those feelings or fueling them with harsh self-criticism.—
J. David Creswell,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If anyone doubted the region’s prominence in the sport, Betts says the naysayers have been silenced.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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But Spokane’s Joe Gallardo jumped in front of the clearance at the edge of the box, beat Andema to the loose ball and tapped it in from 10 yards out before raising a finger to his lips to silence AC Boise’s supporters section.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reforms often required strong executive power, largely at the expense of social stability and democratic legitimacy; protests against the IMF’s programs left scores dead as authorities repressed dissent.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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Iran, where major protests in January were brutally repressed, has between 50% and 60% under 30.—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The impossibility of his quest began to settle in.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Southlake megachurch and its attorneys want to use someone from the American Arbitration Association or a district judge to settle the matter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For decades, Iran’s rulers have quashed organized political opposition.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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For decades, Iran’s rulers have quashed organized political opposition.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The keys are satisfying to type on and impressively hushed without feeling mushy.—
Aubrey Jowers,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
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What could have been a straightforward suburban critique is instead closer to a rich, deep baroque painting capturing longing, power, and hushed domestic drama.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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