Quash: meaning, definitions and examples

Mainly used in legal contexts to describe the action of rejecting or voiding something, such as a decision or judgment.

• The court decided to quash the previous ruling due to lack of evidence.
• They sought to quash the conviction on appeal.

Often used in both legal and formal settings to describe the action of declaring something invalid, such as a law, contract, or marriage.

• The marriage was annulled after it was discovered that the couple were close relatives.
• The government moved quickly to annul the unconstitutional law.

Commonly used to describe reversing a decision, verdict, or ruling, especially in legal and judicial contexts.

• The Supreme Court overturned the lower court's decision.
• They hoped to overturn the law through a new bill in Congress.

Used to describe making something legally null and void. This can apply to contracts, laws, or regulations.

• The agreement was nullified when one of the parties failed to meet their obligations.
• An amendment was introduced to nullify the previous executive order.

primarily used in a legal or formal context, meaning to reject, void, or cancel a decision or rule, often by a legal authority.

• The court decided to quash the previous ruling.
• The company's attempt to quash the lawsuit was unsuccessful.

used in various contexts to indicate holding back or restraining, particularly emotions, information, or activities. It can carry a negative connotation when referring to limiting freedom or information.

• The government tried to suppress the news story.
• She had to suppress a smile during the serious meeting.

typically used in a more physical or informal sense, implying crushing or squeezing something to prevent it from growing, spreading, or continuing

• He accidentally squashed the bug under his shoe.
• The teacher had to squash rumors about the school trip.

used to describe the act of thoroughly ending or subduing something, often emotions, protests, or unrest, usually involving a sense of calming or soothing

• The police were called to quell the disturbance.
• She tried to quell her fears before the interview.