SQUELCH Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

squelch 1 of 2

verb

ˈskwelch

Definition of squelch

as in to suppress

to put a stop to (something) by the use of force immediately squelched any signs of rebellion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shush

to stop the noise or speech of his irritated glare squelched any other potential objectors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stir
agitate

squelch

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of squelch

Verb

Keeley is all optimism in the buildup to the team’s first game — merely a friendly against Hayes and Yeading, but important nonetheless — but subsequent events threaten to squelch those good feelings. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 His first response is to squelch his mutation, much like Bruce Banner keeps the Hulk in check with a handy inhibitor. — ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

Ritchie’s raps feel pointed and specific, and even the flashier moments—electronic squelches that burst and break like an Arca production—pack a harder punch in their containment. — Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026 Poems of ‘human residue’ in a new collection Joe Hall’s poems move between a fist-pounding urgency, the fire and squelch of this moment of our endtime, and a vulnerability hushed and gentle as a nightgown on a laundry line. — Nina MacLaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for squelch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for squelch

Verb

These adjectives express the behavior that Reilly studied movies to learn how to suppress.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Becerra seems to either be suppressing a cough or hyperventilating at the bit of responding to Hilton’s vaccine vacuousness.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim went to 3-0 for the week with a crowd-shushing rally from 2 down to a 2-and-1 victory over Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of shush

Verb

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Riot police deployed to quell a protest typically arrange themselves into a square tactical unit.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of quell

Noun

Her son is a carbon copy of his dad — looks like him and acts like him, particularly with his funny comments, comebacks and retorts.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026
Our minds generate sharp retorts or zingers that would eviscerate or humiliate them.

— Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of retort

Verb

His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Abiy has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

There’s no flashy design and no over-the-top exterior, instead muted hues and lots of marble.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
In lectures and seminars, his cleft palate caused his voice to be muted and his pronunciation at times unclear.

— Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026