Quash
/kwɑːʃ/
verbC2
Definition
Quash means to stop something completely and officially, often by a person or group in power. It is usually used when talking about canceling a legal decision, a plan, or a protest. When something is quashed, it is ended quickly and forcefully.
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See It in Action
To officially cancel or reject a legal decision or order
- •The court quashed the previous ruling because of new evidence.
- •The lawyer asked the judge to quash the indictment.
- •The appeal was quashed by the higher court.
To put an end to something quickly and forcefully
- •The government quashed the protest before it grew larger.
- •The manager quashed rumors about company layoffs.
- •The police quashed the illegal gathering immediately.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "quash" like "stop," but stronger and more official, like a boss or judge saying "No!"
- ✓Picture a judge banging a big hammer (gavel) to stop a court case or decision immediately.
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to end a problem fast and make sure it cannot continue.
- ✓Sounds like "squash" → imagine squashing a bug to stop it from moving, just like stopping an idea or decision.
- ✓In stories, think of a king or queen who cancels a law or order with one command.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means to not pay attention), quash means to actively stop or cancel.
- ✓NOT like "delay" (which means to wait or slow down), quash means to end something completely.
- ✓NOT like "reject" (which means to say no), quash is stronger because it often uses official power to stop something.
Try Other Words
- •Cancel: to officially end or remove something (Use when talking about plans, events, or orders that are ended)
- •Overturn: to reverse a decision, especially in court (Use mainly for legal or official decisions)
- •Suppress: to stop something by force or control (Use when emphasizing control or force, often for feelings, ideas, or actions)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word)
- •Etymology: From Old French "quasser," meaning to break or shatter
- •Historical development: Originally meant to break or crush physically, later used figuratively to mean breaking or ending ideas or decisions
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in legal and formal contexts to mean officially ending or rejecting something
Reflect & Connect
•When might it be important to quash an idea or decision quickly? Can you think of examples in daily life or history?
•How does quashing something differ from simply disagreeing with it or ignoring it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The judge quashed the order because the evidence was ___ and unreliable.
2.When rumors started to spread, the company quickly quashed them to ___ panic.
3.Unlike delaying a decision, to quash it means to ___ it completely and officially.
4.The protest was quashed by the police before it could ___ into violence.
5.Lawyers often ask courts to quash charges if they believe the case is ___.
6.The government’s power allowed it to quash any ___ against its policies.
7.Quashing a decision usually means it cannot be ___ or repeated later.