What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quell
Example
She tried to quell her nerves before the big presentation. [quell: verb]
Example
The police were able to quell the riot before it got out of hand. [quell: verb]
subdue
Example
The firefighter was able to subdue the flames before they spread to other buildings. [subdue: verb]
Example
The medication helped to subdue the patient's pain. [subdue: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subdue is more commonly used than quell in everyday language. Subdue is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quell is less common and has a more specific usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between quell and subdue?
Both quell and subdue are formal words that are more commonly used in written language or formal settings. However, subdue can also be used in informal contexts, while quell is more limited in its usage.
