Quell
Quell verb - To put a stop to (something) by the use of force.
Usage example: the National Guard was called in to help quell the late-night disturbances downtown
Subdue is a synonym for quell in suppress topic. In some cases you can use "Subdue" instead a verb "Quell", when it comes to topics like bend, defeat, put down, put an end to. popular alternative
Nearby Word: quelling
Subdue
Subdue verb - To bring under one's control by force of arms.
Usage example: subdued the rebels and sent their leaders to the gallows
Quell is a synonym for subdue in bend topic. You can use "Quell" instead a verb "Subdue", if it concerns topics such as conquer, suppress, control, moderate. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- The Hunger Games: The Quarter Quell's name is this, as the quell means "to subdue something", which in the case of the 3rd Quarter Quell, means "subdue this rebellion that's going on right under our noses".
Source: Ironic Name -
Ironic Name: The Quarter Quell's name is this, as the quell means "to subdue something", which in the case of the 3rd Quarter Quell, means "subdue this rebellion that's going on right under our noses".
Source: Literature / The Hunger Games -
They're sometimes used at checkpoints to discourage suicide dashes, and some prisons use them against uncooperative inmates or to quell prison riots (the idea is to startle them just long enough for the guards to reach and subdue the prisoner(s)).
Source: Agony Beam
Cite this Source
Subdue and Quell. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/quell/subdue
Quell & Subdue. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/quell/subdue>.
Subdue or Quell. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/quell/subdue.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "quell" and "subdue" have occurred on timeline