quell
Crush a revolt
Quell means to suppress or put an end to something disruptive or threatening.
You quell a rebellion, quell a riot, quell rising panic.
The word carries a sense of forceful subduing: Police moved in to quell the disturbance.
It extends to internal states—quelling fears, doubts, or nausea.
She took a deep breath to quell her nerves.
To calm agitation
- calmFree from agitation
- sootheGently ease discomfort
- subdueBring under control
- tranquilizeInduce calm chemically
placate · appease · mollify · allay · quiet · still · gentle · temper
Victory over another
- crushCompress with force
- vanquishDefeat thoroughly in conflict
- conquerOvercome by force
- overpowerDefeat by superior force
subjugate · put down · overcome · beat · suppress · stamp out · overwhelm · rout
Organized resistance to power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- riotViolent public disturbance
unrest · dissent · sedition · resistance · protest · disturbance · disorder · turmoil
pacify
To calm agitation
tranquilize · placate · appease · mollify · allay · quiet · still · gentle · temper · cool
suppress
Forcibly put an end to
squash · crush · extinguish · quash · silence · mute · muffle · dampen · choke · strangle
defeat
Victory over another
overpower · subjugate · put down · overcome · beat · suppress · stamp out · overwhelm · rout · annihilate
uprising
Organized resistance to power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
riot · unrest · dissent · sedition · resistance · protest · disturbance · disorder · turmoil · agitation
fear
Emotional response to threat
doubt · unease · worry · nerves · apprehension · dread · agitation · turmoil · unrest · misgivings