1
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
immediately squelched any signs of rebellion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 squelch
Vivian Wang, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
The defendants, who also include producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle, filed a motion to throw out the lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which offers a mechanism to dismiss frivolous suits that are intended to squelch free speech.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions.
—CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Verb
The government has worked to squelch any discussion about its response to the pandemic, let alone attempts to reckon with it.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
The defendants, who also include producer John Wells and actor Noah Wyle, filed a motion to throw out the lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which offers a mechanism to dismiss frivolous suits that are intended to squelch free speech.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
Finally, an electronic squelch.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 1 Jan. 2023
So Secretary Rusk put a squelch on those missions.
—CBS News, 13 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for squelch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch
Verb
-
To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Older, post-menopausal women are especially susceptible, since lower estrogen levels can lead to decreased levels of beneficial bacteria that suppress infection-causing bacteria.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
One day at the Scottish Open, a volunteer held up the quiet sign and shushed the crowd as Morikawa prepared to hit from the fairway.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Fathers shushed babbling toddlers as their wives snuck out to change infants’ diapers.—
Carlos Nogueras Ramos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And outside of fighting, your companions are always ready to offer some welcome contextual wisecracks or pithy advice in all manner of situations.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Grace provides plenty of comic relief as the jittery prisoner who manages to make snarky wisecracks even while on the verge of dying.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Killorn had quelled the Rangers momentum with a short-handed equalizer less than two minutes before New York reassumed control.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Here and there, far from Meemaw’s grave, a few small trees attempted, unsuccessfully, to quell the rage of a Texas sun.—
Robert Moor,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
For the past year and a half, our Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim community at Microsoft has been silenced, intimidated, harassed, and doxxed, with impunity from Microsoft.—
Jordan Novet,Hayden Field,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2025
-
But he wasn’t deterred by the crown’s agenda to silence all critics.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The subjects’ multifaceted backgrounds — from Arab organizers to Jewish students to community Rabbis — helps weave a multicultural fabric, which becomes, at first, a subtle de facto retort to claims of the protests’ inherent antisemitism, and after a while, a very explicit one.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The issue extends to Mio, too, whose quips or poorly timed retorts to Zoe’s dialogue don’t really align with her generally apathetic persona.—
Kyle Wilson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The clean, modern lines, subdued colors, abundant natural light, and open floor plan all checked out.—
Berit Thorkelson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Looking ahead, Wolf reckoned that EMs can move higher if the U.S. dollar continues to weaken and the impact of tariffs on overall trade is subdued.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Costlier mortgages muted what had been a building boom.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Corporate America's reaction to President Trump's tariffs has been muted so far, with many relying on trade associations or special interest groups to speak on their behalf.—
Eleanor Hawkins,
Axios,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squelch. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share