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
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
The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
Leslie invoked Arizona's anti-SLAPP law to quash the pastors' suit.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Starlink, a division of Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX, is playing an outsized — and in the eyes of overseas activists, crucial — role in connecting Iran with the rest of the world as the country's leadership turns to force to try to quash the protests.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
But outpatient centers — where most treatment happens in California — do not have to adhere to those same standards, and proposals to require state licenses for such centers have been repeatedly quashed.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quash
Verb
However, reports indicate that street protests have largely calmed as the autocratic regime vowed to continue quashing demonstrations.
—The Hill, 17 Jan. 2026
Leslie invoked Arizona's anti-SLAPP law to quash the pastors' suit.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Starlink, a division of Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX, is playing an outsized — and in the eyes of overseas activists, crucial — role in connecting Iran with the rest of the world as the country's leadership turns to force to try to quash the protests.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
But outpatient centers — where most treatment happens in California — do not have to adhere to those same standards, and proposals to require state licenses for such centers have been repeatedly quashed.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quash
Cite this Entry
“Quash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quash. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
