quell

[kwel]

verb (used with object)

1. to suppress; put an end to; extinguish.

   The troops quelled the rebellion quickly.

   Synonyms: quench, conquer, defeat, overcome, overpower, quash, crush
   Antonyms: foster

2. to vanquish; subdue.

   Synonyms: quench, conquer, defeat, overcome, overpower, quash, crush
   Antonyms: foster

3. to quiet or allay (emotions, anxieties, etc.).

   The child's mother quelled his fears of the thunder.

   Synonyms: hush, compose, pacify, calm
   Antonyms: agitate

quell

/ kwɛl /

verb

1. to suppress or beat down (rebellion, disorder, etc); subdue

2. to overcome or allay

   to quell pain

   to quell grief

Other Word Forms

• quellable adjective
• queller noun
• unquellable adjective
• unquelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quell¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English quellen, Old English cwellan “to kill”; akin to Old Norse kvelja “to torment,” German quälen “to vex”; kill ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of quell¹

Old English cwellan to kill; related to Old Saxon quellian, Old High German quellen, Old Norse kvelja to torment

Example Sentences

About 300 soldiers remain on the streets of Los Angeles, where thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines were deployed in early June to quell fierce protest over immigration raids.

From Los Angeles Times

In an attempt to quell the nationwide protests, President Prabowo announced on Sunday that several state-funded perks given to politicians would be reined in, including the size of some allowances.

From BBC

Indonesian political parties have agreed to reverse some state-funded perks their politicians receive in a bid to quell nationwide protests, the country's president has said.

From BBC

The summit hasn’t fully quelled South Korean concerns over defense and military cooperation either.

From Los Angeles Times

Victory - ideally with direct contributions from the newcomers who scored 58 goals at club level last season – would quell some of the growing chatter.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilate 
• conquer 
• crush 
• extinguish 
• overcome 
• put down 
• quench 
• silence 
• stamp out 
• stifle 
• subdue