quell

1 of 2

verb

ˈkwel 

quelled; quelling; quells

transitive verb

1

: to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity

quell a riot

2

: quiet, pacify

quell fears

queller noun

quell

2 of 2

noun

1

obsolete : slaughter

2

archaic : the power of quelling

Synonyms

Verb

• clamp down (on)
• crack down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quash
• repress
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• squelch
• subdue
• suppress

Examples of quell in a Sentence

Verb

the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown

the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But the quicker files are made available, the quicker conspiracy theories could be quelled. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025

The deal could quell activist investor Ananym, which Reuters reported was pressing for a board refresh, succession planning and a sale of Henry Schein's medical distribution business. —Claire Rychlewski, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025

Some 28,000 acres have so far been burned, with firefighters attempting to quell the flames. —Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

Alessia's pain is only quelled by Dilaudid, a powerful opioid only administered in medical facilities. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to kill, quell, from Old English cwellan to kill; akin to Old High German quellen to torture, kill, quāla torment, Lithuanian gelti to hurt

Noun

Middle English, from quellen to kill

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

quell

verb

ˈkwel

1

: to put down by force

quell a riot

2

: quiet entry 3

quell fears

queller noun