Synonyms of quash

quash 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈkwäsh 

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

• quell
• suppress
• subdue
• repress
• stifle
• squelch
• crush
• silence
• destroy
• extinguish
• overcome
• squash
• sit on
• crack down (on)
• snuff (out)
• clamp down (on)
• put down
• demolish
• slap down
• quench
• throttle
• obliterate
• smother
• douse
• strangle
• decimate
• exterminate
• annihilate
• dominate
• ruin
• put out
• conquer
• vanquish
• subjugate
• wipe out
• smash
• desolate
• overwhelm
• devastate
• overpower
• wreck
• waste
• nuke
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• support
• aid
• back
• provoke
• stir
• encourage
• promote
• abet
• forward
• incite
• foment
• prop up
• cultivate
• instigate
• foster
• further
• advance
• nurture
• whip (up)
• nourish

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

• abolish
• repeal
• cancel
• overturn
• avoid
• vacate
• dismiss
• invalidate
• nullify
• rescind
• annul
• negate
• void
• abrogate
• revoke
• withdraw
• dissolve
• abate
• suspend
• set aside
• strike down
• roll back
• null
• reject
• reverse
• retract
• overrule
• eliminate
• remove
• do away with
• override
• veto
• disannul
• forbid
• recall
• prohibit
• countermand
• erase
• enjoin
• disallow
• ban
• abort
• eradicate
• outlaw
• call off
• call
• annihilate
• liquidate
• drop
• throw out
• write off
• break down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• establish
• enact
• found
• legislate
• lay down
• legitimate
• validate
• institute
• pass
• allow
• permit
• approve
• authorize
• ratify
• legitimize
• order
• warrant
• endorse
• legalize
• prescribe
• formalize
• clear
• sanction
• command
• mandate
• decree

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of quash

Verb

The previous administration quashed JetBlue’s purchase of Spirit in 2024—Spirit then went, and remains, bankrupt—and successfully sued to nix a joint venture between American and JetBlue called the Northeast Alliance. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026

Downing Street moved swiftly late on Thursday to try to quash the scandal, sacking the Foreign Office’s top official, Olly Robbins. —Reuters, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

The federal government has led an all-out assault on renewables, quashing the development of offshore wind, solar and the like, in favor of a reinvigorated embrace of fossil fuels. —Alex Kuffner, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Corruption allegations from the aughts (albeit since quashed by the courts) may mean any honeymoon period will be shorter than most. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

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