rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryquellBringing under control
verb

quell

KWEL/kwel/

To bring something troubling or disruptive under control.

She uses an extinguisher to quell the small fire.

An older woman quells a small wastebasket fire with a fire extinguisher; the directed spray visibly smothers the flames.
Etymology
quellOld Englishto kill, cause to die

The original meaning was literally to kill. This softened into causing something to cease, allowing the verb to describe suppressing unrest or calming fear.

In context

KAIROS Canada22:21
its aim was on the one hand to quell the violence on the frontier and it was also aimed to stop the influx of settlement over the appalachian mountains
2021 Great Lakes /St. Lawrence Gathering: Furthering Reconciliation

More examples

  • Firefighters worked to quell the blaze.
  • She raised a hand to quell the argument.
  • The authorities tried to quell the unrest.

Forms

quell · quells · quelled · quelling

Similar words

suppress
Suppress restrains or stops; quell especially brings a disturbance under control.
subdue
Subdue overcomes resistance; quell can calm rumors, fears, or unrest without physical force.