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

Some countries in West Africa that have had coups in recent years have moved away from traditional Western allies like France, accusing them of not doing enough to quash jihadist insurgencies, while seeking closer ties with Russia.

From BBC

That fact alone may quash Democratic hopes of shifting the court leftward during this half of the 21st century.

From Slate

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

In this conversation about authoritarians and the deployment of government resources to quash democracy, is there any entity that can stand up to Ron DeSantis in Florida?

From Slate

Related Words

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