Quell

Pronunciation: [ kwel ]

Definition: verb

1: to suppress; put an end to; extinguish

2: to quiet or allay (emotions, anxieties, etc.)

Origin: Old English; Germanic

Etymology: cwellan ‘kill’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kwellen and German quälen

Usage:

Synonyms:

1:

• annihilate

• conquer

• crush

• extinguish

• overcome

• quench

• silence

• stifle

2:

• allay

• appease

• assuage

• ease

• mitigate

• mollify

• pacify

• quiet

• silence

• soothe

Antonyms:

1:

• build up

• compliment

• encourage

• help

• lose

• praise

• release

• start

• surrender

• yield

• begin

2:

• aggravate

• agitate

• annoy

• incite

• increase

• intensify

• irritate

• provoke

• upset

• worry

Example:

1: The man was able to quell the fire quickly with minimal damage to the house.

2: The mother was able to quell her child's fear of the dark each night by gently rocking him to sleep.