squelch

1 of 2

verb

squelched; squelching; squelches

transitive verb

1
a
: to fall or stamp on so as to crush
b(1)
: to completely suppress : quell
squelch resistance
(2)
: silence
squelched the protesters
2
: to emit or move with a sucking sound

intransitive verb

1
: to emit a sucking sound
2
: to splash through water, slush, or mire
squelcher noun

squelch

2 of 2

noun

1
: a sound of or as if of semiliquid matter under suction
the squelch of mud
2
: the act of suppressing
especially : a retort that silences an opponent
squelchy adjective

Examples of squelch in a Sentence

Verb immediately squelched any signs of rebellion his irritated glare squelched any other potential objectors
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Housing The painfully high interest rates filtered through the economy in a calculated effort to squelch demand, but further exacerbated the housing affordability problem in the US. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025 Sununu said Trump’s nomination of former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general, which was quickly squelched due to outcry on Capitol Hill, is a prime example of not only challenging the judgment of the current party leader but also dissenting successfully. Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
Suddenly, however, there’s a loud squelch: Myung-gi has shoved a fork up into the flesh under Thanos’s jaw. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024 The energy is uniformly banging, but there’s a wry sense of humor encoded into every errant squelch. Pitchfork, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for squelch

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1624, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squelch was in 1624

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Cite this Entry

“Squelch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squelch. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

squelch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a sound of or as if of a squishy substance under suction
the squelch of mud
2
: a remark that silences an opponent

squelch

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to fall or stamp on so as to crush
b
: to put an end to by force : quell, silence
2
: to make or cause to make a sucking sound
3
: to splash through water, slush, or mire
squelcher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on squelch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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