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

The Insurrection Act gives the president sweeping emergency power to deploy military forces within the United States if the president deems it is needed to quell civil unrest.

From Los Angeles Times

She said the use of the military to quell unrest without the state of Oregon consenting risks the sovereignty of that state and others.

From BBC

He touted the move in August to create a “quick reaction force” to “quell civil disturbances” — a decree folded into his executive order expanding the D.C. troop deployment.

From Los Angeles Times

The UN's human rights chief condemned the "unnecessary force" used by security forces to quell the unrest, saying that at least 22 people have been killed and 100 others injured.

From BBC

In addition, Europe's sparkling performance is also likely to have quelled some of the expected "bear pit" atmosphere.

From BBC

Related Words

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