QUELL Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

quell

verb

ˈkwel

Definition of quell

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shush

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

stir
agitate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of quell When tanks rolled into the heart of Beijing on the night of June 3-4 to quell the protests, Tang didn’t sleep. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Therefore, ambient devices do have some positive benefits and have helped quell many practical issues. — Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Maybe a trip down memory lane will quell some of the hard feelings. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Bradman was the top run scorer for Australia but had only one century in the series, suggesting his threat had been quelled. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell

Verb

Called Defendu, the fighting technique with the knife was a combination of fierce aggression, speed, and strength to subdue an opponent as quickly as possible.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
When police officers in Oklahoma admitted to using electro-shock gloves to subdue two students over the 2025-2026 school year, the community was rightfully outraged.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
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.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Definition of shush

Verb

This isn’t a matter of suppressing your emotions, which research has proven doesn't work.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
In one of the findings, bat houses — artificial roosts in urban environments, similar to nest boxes for birds — were doing their job helping to suppress pests on pecan farms in Texas.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Tottenham, repressed for so long in their spending and ambition, are suddenly flashing the cash like a slot machine, dropping £237million ($324m) already.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
And Washington’s campaign against terrorism encouraged its allies to embrace intrusive forms of surveillance and repress potential opposition in the name of security.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of repress

Verb

People who settled here have a very bold spirit and a kind of grit that was required to make it.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Separately, New Mexico secured a nearly $1 billion verdict against Meta for creating a public nuisance and exposing minors to harm, prompting Meta to settle with 47 other states for up to $18 billion, though private claims persist.

— Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The report, which relied on Schweers’ interviews with recipients of Hope Florida’s donations, was published despite an unsigned cease-and-desist letter by the Florida Department of Children and Families attempting to quash it.

— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Courts in some cases have quashed subpoenas or ordered the review of grand jury transcripts, and the criminal cases against Comey and New York Atty.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of quash

Browse Nearby Words

queers

quell

quelled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of quell

verb

Example Sentences

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