quash
1 of 2verb (1)
transitive verb
quash
2 of 2verb (2)
transitive verb
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
Word History
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
Verb (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
quash
transitive verb
quash 1 of 2
verb (1)
Synonyms & Similar Words
- quell
- suppress
- subdue
- repress
- stifle
- squelch
- crush
- silence
- squash
- extinguish
- destroy
- overcome
- sit on
- slap down
- demolish
- crack down (on)
- put down
- clamp down (on)
- quench
- douse
- smother
- obliterate
- decimate
- strangle
- throttle
- annihilate
- snuff (out)
- exterminate
- ruin
- vanquish
- dominate
- subjugate
- conquer
- smash
- overpower
- nuke
- devastate
- put out
- waste
- overwhelm
- wipe out
- wreck
- dowse
- desolate
- rub out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- help
- assist
- support
- aid
- incite
- provoke
- back
- instigate
- stir
- foment
- abet
- encourage
- promote
- cultivate
- forward
- further
- nurture
- advance
- foster
- whip (up)
- prop up
- nourish
quash
2 of 2verb (2)
Synonyms & Similar Words
- abolish
- repeal
- cancel
- overturn
- vacate
- avoid
- dismiss
- invalidate
- nullify
- annul
- rescind
- negate
- void
- abrogate
- revoke
- abate
- withdraw
- dissolve
- suspend
- null
- roll back
- strike down
- set aside
- overrule
- reverse
- reject
- retract
- countermand
- eliminate
- remove
- override
- veto
- disannul
- forbid
- prohibit
- erase
- recall
- disallow
- enjoin
- ban
- eradicate
- abort
- outlaw
- annihilate
- do away with
- call off
- call
- liquidate
- drop
- throw out
- write off
- break down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- establish
- enact
- legislate
- found
- lay down
- validate
- legitimate
- allow
- permit
- pass
- institute
- approve
- legitimize
- authorize
- ratify
- order
- warrant
- legalize
- formalize
- prescribe
- endorse
- clear
- sanction
- command
- indorse
- mandate
- decree