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
The security firm of former U.S. Navy Seal Erik Prince will soon deploy nearly 200 personnel from various countries to Haiti as part of a one-year deal to quell gang violence there, a person with knowledge of the plans said Thursday.
—
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
His administration has deported immigrants without due process, held detainees in inhumane conditions, threatened the forcible removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and deployed both the National Guard and federal military troops to Los Angeles to quell largely peaceful protests.
—Charli Carpenter, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025
The deployment of the National Guard to D.C. by Trump has invited some comparisons to the president’s deployment of the National Guard to quell protests that turned violent in Los Angeles in June, but there are key differences between the two deployments.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2025
Media coverage of this Summer’s events in Los Angeles focused largely on President Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to send the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to quell protests against immigration raids.
—Spencer Reynolds, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
His administration has deported immigrants without due process, held detainees in inhumane conditions, threatened the forcible removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and deployed both the National Guard and federal military troops to Los Angeles to quell largely peaceful protests.
—Charli Carpenter, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025
The deployment of the National Guard to D.C. by Trump has invited some comparisons to the president’s deployment of the National Guard to quell protests that turned violent in Los Angeles in June, but there are key differences between the two deployments.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2025
Media coverage of this Summer’s events in Los Angeles focused largely on President Donald Trump’s unprecedented decision to send the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to quell protests against immigration raids.
—Spencer Reynolds, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quell
Verb
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Chatter in a crowded room, the grind of metal on train tracks and the boisterous wall of sound backstage at a gig were also effectively subdued but not completely obliterated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Aug. 2025
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As with every Premier League ground, the effects of the stadiums going all-seater and ticket price rises in the 1990s subdued the atmosphere, but safe standing is now a thing and stadiums are better for it.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jena asked, for which she was shushed), that was spotted and strong enough to kill a man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
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In the background of the video, the 35-year-old could be heard mumbling offscreen before Megan playfully shushed him.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The air force said Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles into Ukraine, of which 30 drones and six missiles were intercepted or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
19 Aug. 2025
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The warming can leap back without something to suppress it.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Lake silenced an organization that began during World War II, intended as a U.S. counterbalance to authoritarian propaganda.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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This firing is designed to silence dissent across the government.—
Bruce Japsen,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Recent History of Bonds From the aftermath of the great financial crisis in 2008 through the end of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, global interest rates were repressed by central bankers seeking to stimulate economies.—
Chris Gunster,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Very few advocated for the kind of theocracy that eventually emerged and went on to repress all non-Islamists.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For years, Grammy award winner Taj Mahal has settled in for a long run during the week leading up to Thanksgiving.—
Leslie Kelly,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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The greens should be more settled after the changes that Andrew Green put in place in 2024.—
Dennis Esser,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Much of Black Hat network management consists of tolerating sketchy user behaviors that network admins would want to quash at other events, which here usually involve attendees testing a technique taught in a session.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Aug. 2025
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The judge quashed various defense attempts to contest the merits of the act, but that didn’t stop the trial from unfolding as a a proxy for larger issues.—
Randall Balmer,
Twin Cities,
23 July 2025
Verb
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This year, the streets are hushed, and many children walk to school alone.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
15 Aug. 2025
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The wild west of Ireland reveals sea cliffs like Slieve League, hushed peat bogs, and winding roads threading through Connemara’s granite hills and glassy lakes.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quell. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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