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Quelled: meaning, definitions and examples

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quelled

 

[ kwɛld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to suppress

To quell means to put an end to something, often by force. It can refer to suppressing a rebellion, a disturbance, or any form of unrest. The term signifies an action taken to restore peace and control, often involving the use of authority or power. Quelling is commonly associated with law enforcement or military intervention in conflicts.

Synonyms

calm, extinguish, repress, subdue, suppress

Examples of usage

  • The police were called in to quell the protest.
  • He tried to quell his anger during the heated discussion.
  • The government issued a statement to quell fears about the economic downturn.

Translations

Translations of the word "quelled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sucedido

🇮🇳 दबाना

🇩🇪 unterdrückt

🇮🇩 menenangkan

🇺🇦 придушений

🇵🇱 stłumiony

🇯🇵 抑圧された

🇫🇷 réprimé

🇪🇸 sofocado

🇹🇷 bastırılmış

🇰🇷 억압된

🇸🇦 مُقَامَع

🇨🇿 potlačený

🇸🇰 potlačený

🇨🇳 镇压的

🇸🇮 zatrte

🇮🇸 þröng

🇰🇿 басылған

🇬🇪 დამშვიდებული

🇦🇿 boğulmuş

🇲🇽 suprimido

Etymology

The word 'quell' originates from the Old English term 'cwellan', which means 'to kill' or 'to put to death'. This early formation came from the Proto-Germanic '*kwelwōną', which also implied the idea of killing or extinguishing. Over time, the meaning evolved from a more violent connotation of killing to encompassing broader ideas of suppression and control in various contexts. By the 14th century, 'quell' was being used in English literature to describe actions taken to pacify or calm disturbances rather than just eliminating threats. It reflects society's shift towards non-lethal means of resolving conflicts while still recognizing the role of authority in establishing order.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,383, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.