quash 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkwäsh How to pronounce quash (audio)
Definition of quashnext
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force the dictator commanded the army to quash the uprising without mercy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quash

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to abolish
to put an end to by formal action attorneys asked the court to quash the indictment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of quash
Verb
Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus, a general and ally to the emperor Augustus who helped quash an uprising known as the Ceretani Revolt. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 The group challenged the ban, and it was quashed by the High Court in February. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Providing ample physical stimulation and exercise for your dog can quash barking triggers such as boredom, anxiety and stress. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026 Any attempt to recapture their childhoods was quickly quashed, however, as exemplified by Dee getting her hair caught in a drop-tower ride and Dennis vomiting right next to her. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for quash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quash
  1. quell
  2. abolish
  3. suppress
  4. repeal
  5. subdue
  6. cancel
  7. overturn
  8. avoid
Verb
  • Here’s how to get your mismatched food containers organized and quell the cabinet chaos.
    — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • An 8-5 record in year one did little to quell those grumblings, and the recruiting was stagnating behind other SEC rivals like Alabama and LSU.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of quell
Verb
  • Japan has faced growing criticism over its use of the death penalty, as a majority of the international community has abolished capital punishment.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Calls to abolish capital punishment or increase transparency have grown after the 2024 acquittal of the world’s longest-serving death-row inmate, Iwao Hakamada.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • Ukraine's air force said Russian forces launched several missiles and 106 drones into the country in its latest barrage, of which three missiles and 85 drones were shot down or otherwise suppressed.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • After public pushback, state legislators backtracked and repealed some of the requirements.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
  • If approved by voters, the top-two primary would be repealed and the system would revert to its prior version, insuring every qualified political party could have a candidate advance in the primary to the general election.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of repeal
Verb
  • Strait of Hormuz crossings remained uneventful over the past week as traffic remains subdued amid little progress in negotiations to reopen the vital oil conduit.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The tough-talking lawman said the 380-volt stun gloves would give Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents a useful tool to subdue detainees or protesters that resist their actions without opening fire on them.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Town leaders canceled their contract with Flock Safety, saying a legal review found the agreement violated state law.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The franchise was canceled after a 2006 Texas operation in which Rockwall County assistant district attorney Louis Conradt died by suicide as authorities and the show’s crew closed in on his home.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • If Patterson's appeal succeeds, the judges could overturn her convictions and order a retrial.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fierce debate raised the risks of the tax being overturned by the courts.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • But Beijing has also sought to avoid domestic fuel shortages by limiting its own fuel exports.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Seven-nine percent said to avoid a ticket, 72 percent said to avoid a crash, and 60 percent said because of bad weather, according to the research.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoid

Browse Nearby Words

quasars
quash
quashed
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Quash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quash. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on quash

Nglish: Translation of quash for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All