to suppress; put an end to; extinguish

The troops quelled the rebellion quickly.

to vanquish; subdue.

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

The child's mother quelled his fears of the thunder.

verb

succeed , win , aggravate , agitate , disturb , irritate , perturb

verb

annihilate , conquer , crush , extinguish , hush up * , kill , overcome , overpower , put down , put the lid on , queer , quench , shut down , silence , sit on , stamp out * , stifle , stop , subdue , subjugate , vanquish , allay , appease , assuage , check , compose , deaden , dull , ease , mitigate , moderate , mollify , pacify , quiet , reduce , soothe , still , choke off , quash , squash , squelch , calm , cool , curb , defeat , destroy , obtund , overwhelm , repress , suppress