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
Police were called to quell the ensuing violence, which resulted in the partial paralyzation of a young Black girl.
—
Rachel Tepper Paley,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Burke said Washington left Bedford, confident that the protest had been quelled through his diplomacy.
—
Salena Zito,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
And the way the two of them, but particularly former President Obama, respond probably doesn’t help quell the rumors.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Rachel Tepper Paley,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Burke said Washington left Bedford, confident that the protest had been quelled through his diplomacy.
—
Salena Zito,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
And the way the two of them, but particularly former President Obama, respond probably doesn’t help quell the rumors.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Upon their return, most ended up in countries that were invaded and subdued by the German army.
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Over a decade, more than 1,000 people have died across the country after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, such as physical holds, Tasers and body blows, an investigation led by The Associated Press found.
Verb
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His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
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As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
Verb
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Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
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When coated onto a polypropylene separator with graphene, the material formed a thin interfacial layer that readily absorbed electrolyte while suppressing polysulfide migration.
Verb
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The case has prompted widespread condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations, which have accused Beijing of using national security laws to silence dissent.
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Spectators should silence their phones near the court To further reduce distractions, Wimbledon's official 2026 Ticket Holder Handbook lists cell phone rules attendees should abide by while watching matches.
Verb
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Typically, ghosts show up in literature when something that has been repressed escapes and becomes everyone’s problem.
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In his car, Lestat is no longer able to repress his memories after having opened the floodgates.
Verb
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Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.
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The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.
Verb
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Thursday's hearing comes less than a week after the same court upheld the incitement conviction of Rong Chhun, a prominent opposition politician, which again renewed focus on the government’s efforts to quash criticism.
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And while some teams hope to maintain their momentum, other teams actively hope the break can quash it.
Verb
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The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.
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Behind the station doors are 150 polished European-style rooms, hushed corridors and a few magnificent surprises.
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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