Vocabulary in context
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Quell
To suppress, extinguish, or quiet something such as a disturbance, fear, or unrest, often by use of force, authority, or calming influence.
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Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
KWELL
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Looks Like
Visually resembles other -ell words (tell, bell) but with the prefix qu-; it starts with a 'qu' cluster that hints at quieting.
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Remember This
Quell can be used for both physical disturbances (riots) and abstract fears or rumors; it does not mean to increase or escalate.
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Other Forms
quellingverb (present participle)
quelledverb (past tense)
quellableadjective
quellernoun
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Connect With
suppress, subdue, quiet, calm, quash
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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.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The police quelled the riot before dawn.
- Her speech helped quell the crowd's rising fear.
Synonyms
suppresssubduequashstiflecalm
Antonyms
incitefomentprovoke
Etymology
From Old English cwellen 'to kill' (via Middle English quell(e)), with the sense expanding from subduing by force to quieting or suppressing more broadly.
Mnemonic
Quell the yell: remember by thinking 'Quell the yell'—when you quell something, you quiet a loud disturbance.
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Acknowledge
verbTo admit that something is true or real; to recognize the existence, validity, or status of something or someone; and to confirm receipt or awareness of something.
Transitory
adjectivelasting only for a short time; temporary or fleeting in nature
Mystical
adjectiveRelating to mysticism or to the spiritual, unseen, or inexplicable; having a mysterious, awe-inspiring quality that suggests the supernatural.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Suppress
verbTo forcibly stop an activity or to prevent something from being seen, heard, or known.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
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