Meaning & use
quell
To suppress or put an end to something, especially an unpleasant feeling or a rebellion.
See it in a sentence
The government sent troops to quell the growing unrest in the capital.
A warm cup of tea helped quell her nerves before the interview.
A note on using this word
Used both for controlling large-scale disturbances, like riots, and for calming personal feelings, like fear or anxiety.
Words with a similar meaning
suppresssubdue
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
inciteprovoke
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “quell”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.