quash

[ kwosh ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put down or suppress completely; quell; subdue:

   to quash a rebellion.

   Synonyms: repress, quench, squash, crush

2. to make void, annul, or set aside (a law, indictment, decision, etc.).

quash

/ kwɒʃ /

verb

1. to subdue forcefully and completely; put down; suppress
2. to annul or make void (a law, decision, etc)
3. to reject (an indictment, writ, etc) as invalid

Other Words From

• un·quashed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quash¹

1300–50; Middle English quashen to smash, break, overcome, suppress < Old French quasser, in part < Latin quassāre to shake (frequentative of quatere to shake; concussion ); in part < Late Latin cassāre to annul, derivative of Latin cassus empty, void

Word History and Origins

Origin of quash¹

C14: from Old French quasser, from Latin quassāre to shake

Example Sentences

Ms Bolton said that because the system for compensation has changed, it is no longer automatically paid out to those who leave prison having had their convictions quashed.

From BBC

It is the second Lincolnshire fossil fuel development to be quashed in recent months, with the decision to approve exploratory drilling and extraction at Biscathorpe overturned in July following a legal challenge.

From BBC

It also put the issue on the front pages and at the top of the political agenda, with the former government announcing legislation to quash convictions in February.

From BBC

There were hopes in some quarters that DeSantis would moderate his policy thuggishness after his presidential campaign imploded in January, but his efforts to quash Amendment 4 suggests that the hope was forlorn.

From Los Angeles Times

Allowing the appeal, Dame Siobhan quashed his original sentence and imposed a revised minimum tariff.

From BBC

Related Words

• annul
• clamp down on
• crack down on
• invalidate
• overrule
• repeal
• rescind
• reverse
• revoke
• set aside
• squelch
• undo
• vacate
• veto
• void