squelch
SKWELCHverbMeaning to crush or silence completely
Memory hook SQUELCH! like a boot in the mud. Rex starts a silly rumor, and Lin stomps on it at once, squelch, like a boot in deep mud: she squelches it.
Mom squelched our plan to build a ramp off the garage roof.
In context The manager’s harsh reply squelched any further questions; after that, no one at the meeting dared to raise a hand.
Similar squash, silence, crush, quash
Opposite encourage, foster