quell

American  

[kwel] / kwɛl /

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

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quell British  

/ kwɛl /

verb

1. to suppress or beat down (rebellion, disorder, etc); subdue

2. to overcome or allay

   to quell pain

   to quell grief

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Other Word Forms

• quellable adjective
• queller noun
• unquellable adjective
• unquelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of quell

First recorded before 900; Middle English quellen, Old English cwellan “to kill”; akin to Old Norse kvelja “to torment,” German quälen “to vex”; cf. kill ¹

Explanation

Meaning to suppress or overcome, quell is what you have to do with nerves before a big test and fears before going skydiving. When it first came into existence, the verb quell actually meant “to murder.” That's a bit more serious than our modern definition, but you can use that old definition to help you imagine offing your worries or putting a permanent end to criticism. These days quell is often used to mean "pacify," as in the police quelling an angry mob or a mom quelling a kid's temper tantrum.

Example Sentences

Nesbitt’s ability to quell the fears will be a test of his funds’—and the industry’s—future with a mass audience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

In that time, fears about the Federal Reserve needing to raise interest rates to quell inflation have given way to concerns about the economic damage of the historic oil-price surge.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

But while this statement is designed to quell the noise around Borthwick's position, the questions about the short-, medium- and long-term direction of travel still remain.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

CNN Worldwide Chief Executive Mark Thompson tried to quell some of those fears, particularly inside his own newsroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

It waits around for their return, trying to quell the panic rising in it.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

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