squelch
squelch Lexical Profile
squelch Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To make a soft, wet, sucking sound when walking through or treading on mud, slush, or wet ground.
"The hikers squelched through the marshy bog for hours after the heavy rain."
To forcefully silence, suppress, or put an end to (a rumor, rebellion, or opponent).
"The company issued a formal statement to squelch rumors of an impending merger."
• noun
A soft, wet, sucking sound, such as that made by walking in thick mud or waterlogged shoes.
"Every step across the waterlogged meadow produced a loud squelch."
A circuit function in a telecommunications radio receiver that suppresses the audio output of channel noise when no carrier signal is present.
"The pilot adjusted the squelch on the cockpit radio to eliminate the background static."
North American A crushing remark or decisive retort that silences an opponent.
"Her witty squelch ended the argument immediately."
• Rhymes for squelch
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 17th century, 'squelch' is of imitative origin, coined to mimic the wet, sucking sound of walking through mud or crushing something soft.