quell
verb (used with object)
to suppress; put an end to; extinguish.
had been quelling
-
past perfect progressiveof quell.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Washington, which begrudged financial support to the tough Nigerian soldiers who had been quelling the violence until last month, is pleading with President Olusegun Obasanjo to send them back.
From Time Magazine Archive
