quells

verb

present tense third-person singular of quell
1
as in suppresses
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quiets
to stop the noise or speech of the principal held up her hand to quell the students so they could hear the urgent announcement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 quells Newsom has not said if the newer version of the bill quells this concern. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 One way Recover quells concerns is through proof-of-concept collections with supply chain partners. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026 While the presumption was always that Messi would renew with the Herons, the news quells any lingering anxiety. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Twenty years later, an adult Guinevere is building her ghostwriting career when her estranged artist brother announces an installation titled Mother, which quells disturbing revelations in Guinevere. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quells
  1. suppresses
  2. quiets
  3. subdues
  4. shushes
  5. represses
  6. silences
  7. settles
  8. hushes
Verb
  • Warming suppresses upwelling — which normally allows colder, deeper and nutrient-rich ocean water to rise closer to the surface.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Testosterone therapy suppresses the body's production of sperm and, in some cases, can lead to permanent infertility.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppresses
Verb
  • This dad claims that using the OM sound quiets his baby every time.
    — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Aug. 2026
  • One of the chiefs, Joseph Pawnee-no-pashe (also known as Governor Joe), quiets him.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of quiets
Verb
  • In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.
    — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of subdues
Verb
  • Before the chatter can continue, Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), the Cal Fire Division Chief and mother of Bode Leone (Max Thieriot), quickly shushes everyone and reminds them to focus.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Definition of shushes
Verb
  • Typically, bees stop laying eggs during the winter, or at least slow down activity, which represses mite activity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
  • The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of represses
Verb
  • This fails to mention that partisan gerrymandering silences the voices of the voters in the district who deserve representation, especially voters from underrepresented groups that are disproportionately affected by these efforts.
    — Reese Ritter, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Shame shrinks us and silences our stories.
    — Carolyn O'Laughlin, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Definition of silences
Verb
  • The Russia and Ukraine conflict grinds into a fifth year; a new Fed chair settles in while tariff policy whipsaws through the courts; tensions with allies and adversaries alike continue to flare.
    — Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The deal settles any claims over Suno’s prior use of BMG’s music in training data.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of settles
Verb
  • Sweeping views over Hyde Park and expert soundproofing that hushes those busy London street horns.
    — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
  • The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.
    — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of hushes

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quells
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Cite this Entry

“Quells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quells. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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