squelch

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwelch 

squelched; squelching; squelches

transitive verb

1

a

: to fall or stamp on so as to crush

b(1)

: to completely suppress : quell

squelch resistance

(2)

: silence

squelched the protesters

2

: to emit or move with a sucking sound

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a sucking sound

2

: to splash through water, slush, or mire

squelcher noun

squelch

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sound of or as if of semiliquid matter under suction

the squelch of mud

2

: the act of suppressing

especially : a retort that silences an opponent

squelchy

ˈskwel-chē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of squelch in a Sentence

Verb

immediately squelched any signs of rebellion

his irritated glare squelched any other potential objectors

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and a Faculty Senate panel have also previously expressed concern that UT was punishing students and squelching free speech through their disciplinary actions and protest response, which the school has denied. —Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Oct. 2024

Among her additional credits are The Brink, about far-right political strategist Steve Bannon (the Trump whisperer who was just released from federal prison) and Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, about the work of the extraordinary Chinese artist and China’s efforts to squelch his activism. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024

Noun

Poems of ‘human residue’ in a new collection Joe Hall’s poems move between a fist-pounding urgency, the fire and squelch of this moment of our endtime, and a vulnerability hushed and gentle as a nightgown on a laundry line. —Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023

The major social-media and tech companies have already done their share to pervert civil discourse and shatter consensus and squelch reason, all to make a buck. —Sam Lipsyte, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1624, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

squelch

1 of 2 noun

ˈskwelch 

1

: a sound of or as if of a squishy substance under suction

the squelch of mud

2

: a remark that silences an opponent

squelch

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to fall or stamp on so as to crush

b

: to put an end to by force : quell, silence

2

: to make or cause to make a sucking sound

3

: to splash through water, slush, or mire

squelcher noun