squelch

/skwɛltʃ/

/skwɛltʃ/

Other forms: squelched; squelching; squelches

When you squelch something, you're putting an end to it. You can squelch an idea or a rebellion.

This word has several meanings, but it's usually a verb for crushing things. A mean remark could squelch your self-confidence, and a powerful military could squelch an invading country. Squelching can also mean to make a squelch-like sucking sound — or to slop, slosh, splash, and squish through the mud. There's also a type of electric circuit that cuts off when the signal is weak: that's a squelch circuit, which squelches the connection.

Definitions of squelch

1. verb

   suppress or crush completely
   “squelch any sign of dissent”

   synonyms: quell, quench

   type of:

   conquer, curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress

   to put down by force or authority
2. verb

   compress with force, out of natural shape or condition
   synonyms: crush, mash, squash, squeeze

   types:

   wring

   twist, squeeze, or compress in order to extract liquid

   stamp

   crush or grind with a heavy instrument

   steamroller

   crush with a steamroller as if to level

   tread

   crush as if by treading on

   telescope

   crush together or collapse

   type of:

   press

   exert pressure or force to or upon
3. verb

   make a sucking sound
   type of:

   go, sound

   make a certain noise or sound
4. verb

   walk through mud or mire
   synonyms: slop, slosh, splash, splosh, squish

   type of:

   footslog, pad, plod, slog, tramp, trudge

   walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
5. noun

   the noise of soft mud being walked on
   synonyms: squish

   type of:

   noise

   sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
6. noun

   a crushing remark
   synonyms: put-down, squelcher, takedown

   type of:

   derision

   contemptuous laughter
7. noun

   an electric circuit that cuts off a receiver when the signal becomes weaker than the noise
   synonyms: squelch circuit, squelcher

   type of:

   circuit, electric circuit, electrical circuit

   an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow