Quell
To suppress, extinguish, or quiet something such as a disturbance, fear, or unrest, often by use of force, authority, or calming influence.
verbQuell
To suppress, extinguish, or quiet something such as a disturbance, fear, or unrest, often by use of force, authority, or calming influence.
verbImagine This
Imagine a tense crowd in a city square. A calm official raises a hand and speaks softly; gradually the shouts subside, and order is restored.
Sounds Like
KWELL
Looks Like
Visually resembles other -ell words (tell, bell) but with the prefix qu-; it starts with a 'qu' cluster that hints at quieting.
Remember This
Quell can be used for both physical disturbances (riots) and abstract fears or rumors; it does not mean to increase or escalate.
Other Forms
Connect With
suppress, subdue, quiet, calm, quash
Note
Do not confuse with quail (to tremble in fear) or with a similar-sounding word that means to ignite rather than quiet. The common modern usage is to quiet or suppress.