quelled

VERB

defeat, suppress

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

kill overpower stop subjugate vanquish

WEAK

hush up put the lid on shut down sit on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build up compliment encourage help lose praise release start surrender yield

STRONG

begin

WEAK

aggravate agitate disturb irritate perturb succeed win

VERB

alleviate, calm

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allay appease assuage ease mitigate mollify pacify quiet silence soothe

STRONG

check compose deaden dull moderate reduce still

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate agitate annoy incite increase intensify irritate provoke upset worry worsen

STRONG

liberate strengthen

WEAK

disturb perturb succeed win

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.

It quelled pressure from some of his unionist rivals and, as a political strategy to buy time, it paid off.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

Student protests, when universities reopened, were quickly quelled.

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Since the protests were quelled through force and mass arrests, some Iranian women have continued to defy the rules.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

They were very clear on what their expectation was and what they wanted to accomplish, so that has quelled some of the nervousness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Dicey quelled them with a glance and instructed them to play odds-and-evens while she thought.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt