quash

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkwäsh 

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."

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• clamp down (on)
• crack down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quell
• repress
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• squelch
• subdue
• suppress

Verb (2)

• abate
• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• avoid
• cancel
• disannul
• dissolve
• invalidate
• negate
• null
• nullify
• repeal
• rescind
• roll back
• strike down
• vacate
• void

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

Verb

In 2021, the government of Boris Johnson approved the plans—over opposition from local residents—only to have the decision quashed in court because of legislation, dating from 1900, which forbids further construction in the park. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025

After seven weeks, Deng had the protests quashed ruthlessly, in the process foreclosing the political democratization that Hu had hoped for. —Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2025

McAfee has quashed several counts in the indictment, but 32 felony counts still remain. —Sam Gringlas, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024

Art exhibit about misogyny was only open to women — until a man complained In September the supreme court quashed the tribunal’s ruling, and MONA this week announced that the Ladies Lounge will reopen for a lap of honor from Thursday until mid-January, 2025. —Elizabeth Fortescue, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

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

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Kids Definition

quash

1 of 2 verb

ˈkwäsh 

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

ˈkwäsh, ˈkwȯsh 

: 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