What does quashed mean?
“Quashed” is the past tense and past participle of “quash,” a formal verb meaning to stop, suppress, or forcibly put down something. It is often used for rebellions, protests, challenges, and attempts to disrupt an institution: officials may “quash an uprising” or “quash a coup.” In legal and administrative contexts, the verb can also mean to cancel or declare something invalid, as in a court quashing a conviction or a governing body quashing a motion. The word has a forceful, institutional tone and is more common in writing, news reports, and formal speech than in everyday conversation. “Suppress” is often a more neutral modern alternative, while “quash” may suggest decisive authority and the abrupt ending of resistance.
To suppress, forcibly stop, or put down an uprising, opposition, or disruptive activity.
"The authorities used force to quash the rebellion."
Usually formal or literary, and often implies the exercise of authority or decisive force.
To cancel, reject, or declare invalid, especially by legal or official decision.
"The court quashed the sentence and released the prisoner."
Common in legal, parliamentary, and administrative contexts.
“Quash” carries the image of forcefully putting something down, whether an uprising, a proposal, or an attempt to challenge an authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quashed come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Old French quasser, “to crush, shatter, or suppress.” This developed from Latin quassare, “to shake, shatter, or break,” related to the Latin adjective quassus, meaning “shaken” or “crushed.” The modern sense of putting down opposition developed from the older physical sense of breaking or overpowering something.
Related word forms
How quashed is actually used
Formal and often slightly archaic or literary in general use. It is especially common in legal, political, and institutional contexts; “suppress” is usually more neutral, while “crush” can imply greater force.
Easily confused with quashed
“Quash” means to suppress or invalidate something, whereas “squash” most commonly means to crush flat or to play a sport played against a wall.