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 announcement, though, did little to quell the anxiety and uncertainty brought on by months of the administration targeting international students at the nation’s university campuses.
—
Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Trump, who sees the military as a critical tool for domestic goals, has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and Marines to quell disturbances that began as protests over immigration raids.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025
Hegseth is set to spar with lawmakers over Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to quell riots that rocked the city beginning on Friday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2025
Trump deployed the National Guard to quell protests, a dramatic escalation.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025
Trump, who sees the military as a critical tool for domestic goals, has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and Marines to quell disturbances that began as protests over immigration raids.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025
Hegseth is set to spar with lawmakers over Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to quell riots that rocked the city beginning on Friday.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2025
Trump deployed the National Guard to quell protests, a dramatic escalation.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Yet, as trade tensions subdued, the stock rebounded 30% from its lowest point.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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Artificial intelligence capabilities are on the way to the iPhone, but applause was subdued throughout the keynote as the company had few surprises to unveil.—
Kif Leswing,Samantha Subin,Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
9 June 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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In his motion to dismiss Bragg’s case, Mangione’s lawyers argued his statements to officers after his arrest should be suppressed because he wasn’t informed of his rights, which the DA’s office contests.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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Young men might be more likely to suppress emotional expression, engage in risk-taking behavior, or use substances to cope with grief.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 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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To let rhythm carry meaning, to listen closely to silence.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Benny’s presented as an overachieving sponge, absorbing contradictory messages about how he is supposed to live in society from both masc frat culture, which tells him to repress, and the relatively more progressive music and films he’s become obsessed with, which tell him to, uh, slay.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
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Autocrats use such measures to speed power consolidation, repress protests and demonstrate force to the world.—
Mandy Taheri,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump credited the National Guard on Sunday for settling the protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in California.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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With the Yankees and Red Sox knotted up, the rivals will look to settle their first series of the season on Sunday Night Baseball.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Sam Reinhart then replied 46 seconds later, quashing whatever faint hopes existed of a victory.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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Baldridge had filed a motion to quash the subpoena, but agreed to drop it once the subpoenas were withdrawn.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
13 June 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 18 Jun. 2025.
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