quash

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkwäsh How to pronounce quash (audio)
ˈkwȯsh
quashed; quashing; quashes

transitive verb

: to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely
quash a rebellion

quash

2 of 2

verb (2)

quashed; quashing; quashes

transitive verb

: to nullify especially by judicial action
quash an indictment

Did you know?

There are two quash verbs in the English language, and although their meanings are similar, they have entirely different origins. Both essentially mean to get rid of something—you can quash a rumor, for example, or you can quash a judicial order. The legal term quash (meaning "to nullify") comes from the Anglo-French words casser or quasser, meaning "to annul," and is ultimately from Latin cassus, "to void." The other quash means "to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely." It derives from the Middle English word quashen, meaning "to smash," and is ultimately from a form of the Latin verb quatere, meaning "to shake."

Examples of quash in a Sentence

Verb (1) the dictator commanded the army to quash the uprising without mercy Verb (2) attorneys asked the court to quash the indictment
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Others point to seeking change through economic actions like the Black-church led boycott of Target after the retail giant quashed its diversity initiatives. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025 The owner is certainly of the belief that this quashes any anxious feelings the dog might have about being left behind. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 Harvard's lawsuit and students call revocation an attack on free speech The move has come amid a broader crackdown on universities accused of failing to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and adequately quash pro-Palestinian activism on campuses. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 May 2025 In the court filing, Freedman indicated that the motions to quash would likely become moot, as negotiations were underway with Swift’s law firm, Venable LLP. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for quash

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English quashen to smash, from Anglo-French quasser, casser, from Latin quassare to shake violently, shatter, frequentative of quatere to shake

Verb (2)

Middle English quassen, from Anglo-French casser, quasser to annul, from Late Latin cassare, from Latin cassus void

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quash was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Quash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quash. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

quash

1 of 2 verb
ˈkwäsh How to pronounce quash (audio)
ˈkwȯsh
: to put down completely : quell
quash a rebellion

quash

2 of 2 verb
: to cancel by court action
quash a criminal charge
Etymology

Verb

Middle English quashen "to smash," from early French quasser, casser (same meaning), from Latin quassare "to shake violently, shatter," from quatere "to shake"

Verb

Middle English quashen "to nullify," from early French casser, quasser "to annul," from Latin cassare (same meaning), from earlier Latin cassus "void"

Legal Definition

quash

transitive verb
: to make void : annul sense 2
quash a subpoena
Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French quasser, from Middle French casser, quasser, from Late Latin cassare, from Latin cassus void

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