Though “quash” and “squash” sound similar, they have distinct meanings and uses. “Quash” is often associated with legal or formal settings, while “squash” typically refers to physical actions or suppressing something. Let’s examine their definitions and usage.
Quash
Definition:
“Quash” means to annul, invalidate, or suppress, often used in legal contexts or formal situations.
Examples:
The judge decided to quash the previous ruling due to lack of evidence.
Censorship rules permit the authorities to quash almost anything deemed inappropriate.
The government tried to quash the protests before they escalated.
Squash
Definition:
“Squash” means to crush, squeeze, or suppress, often in a physical sense but also figuratively to imply the suppression of efforts or ambitions.
Examples:
He accidentally squashed the sandwich in his backpack.
Their hopes of winning the championship were squashed after the early defeat.
She had to squash the rumors before they spread any further.
“Quash” is primarily used in formal or legal contexts to mean annul or suppress, while “squash” involves crushing or suppressing physically or figuratively. Both words indicate a form of suppression, but in different contexts.
