1
as in suppresses
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiets
to stop the noise or speech of
the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quells
While the presumption was always that Messi would renew with the Herons, the news quells any lingering anxiety.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Twenty years later, an adult Guinevere is building her ghostwriting career when her estranged artist brother announces an installation titled Mother, which quells disturbing revelations in Guinevere.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Twenty years later, an adult Guinevere is building her ghostwriting career when her estranged artist brother announces an installation titled Mother, which quells disturbing revelations in Guinevere.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quells
Verb
-
The brain actively, but provisionally, suppresses the reward systems while in a time of plenty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
By failing to promote these women, the economy suppresses their earnings trajectory, which directly suppresses the income tax revenue required to service the debt.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Safety Kam Curl, whose interception in overtime against the Bears set up the game-winning field goal, noted that the crowd in Seattle quiets when the Seahawks offense is on the field.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
With regular doses of morphine, the doctor quiets the alpha’s aggressive impulses.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Royd subdues and binds her before taking off to restore the power.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
13 Nov. 2025
-
For those who are more into curves than angles, the Bialetti Moon takes all the functional elements of the moka stovetop espresso maker and subdues them with a rounded stainless steel silhouette.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trying to eliminate one side inevitably represses part of our own nature.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Violent crime is also common, and the government violently represses journalists and dissidents.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are high hopes for US biotech company Scribe Therapeutics' STX-1150 treatment, which epigenetically silences the PCSK9 gene in the liver to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In Cuba, where vibrant streets hide daily struggles, the government silences its people and spreads trouble worldwide.—
Markus Wiechel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
And as that low light settles in, my whole body shifts in spirit.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
After this brief stretch of colder weather, a steady warming trend is expected from Thursday through Sunday as the ridge of high pressure to our west slowly shifts east and settles over Texas.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Autumn hushes the Codrii forest, where mushrooms push through damp soil and the air smells of woodsmoke and moss.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Robinson is the favorite to start, which would mean Towns sliding over to power forward, which mutes some of his offensive superpowers.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The host mutes everyone upon entry.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quells. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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