1
2
as in suppressing
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
squashed any effort to reform the country's power structure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squashing
Tourists can threaten ecosystems by compacting soils, squashing fragile vegetation and bringing in non-native microbes and plant species.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
The actor ended up growing a beard and added some makeup, squashing most concerns that his cover might be blown.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 May 2026
Despite squashing his beef with his former crew, Bam Margera will not be back for new stunts, but there will be archival footage of him and Ryan Dunn.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Here’s to the people who strive and persevere and realize their dreams, without squashing the dignity of others.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The decision marked the first time in tournament history that the final weeks of the college basketball season would not be played, squashing Atlanta’s plans to host the Final Four.
—Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 27 Mar. 2026
The single marked the first collaboration between the two rappers, effectively squashing rumors of their feud.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Jacob Ulibarri spent about six hours on New Year’s Day last year squashing hot spots where the Lachman fire had burned.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
TDEs generally occur when stars venture too close to the supermassive black holes that sit at the heart of large galaxies, resulting in the immense gravity of these cosmic titans simultaneously squashing the stellar body horizontally while stretching it vertically.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
The actor ended up growing a beard and added some makeup, squashing most concerns that his cover might be blown.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 May 2026
Despite squashing his beef with his former crew, Bam Margera will not be back for new stunts, but there will be archival footage of him and Ryan Dunn.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Here’s to the people who strive and persevere and realize their dreams, without squashing the dignity of others.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The decision marked the first time in tournament history that the final weeks of the college basketball season would not be played, squashing Atlanta’s plans to host the Final Four.
—Shari Rudavsky, IndyStar, 27 Mar. 2026
The single marked the first collaboration between the two rappers, effectively squashing rumors of their feud.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Jacob Ulibarri spent about six hours on New Year’s Day last year squashing hot spots where the Lachman fire had burned.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
TDEs generally occur when stars venture too close to the supermassive black holes that sit at the heart of large galaxies, resulting in the immense gravity of these cosmic titans simultaneously squashing the stellar body horizontally while stretching it vertically.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squashing
Verb
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For a club already facing relegation on the pitch, their own fans may have just dealt them the final, crushing blow.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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For smaller prey, the attack may cause rapid death through crushing injuries or punctured organs.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Their basic antitrust allegation was that NCAA member schools fixed prices by limiting the number of slots for coach employees, thus suppressing opportunities and wages.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
Renovations of the House chamber will force members to meet at the Old State Capitol, where, decades ago, Mississippi lawmakers passed Jim Crow laws suppressing Black voting.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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In a bowl, combine softened butter with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and garlic paste (made by smashing garlic cloves with salt, then mincing it and mashing it with the side of your knife).—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
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However, the election itself has a more lax timeline, so Kemp could wait to schedule it until September or even November, leaving District 13 without leadership and mashing the special election up with the normal midterm election for Scott’s seat.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Government forces brought reinforcements into Suqaylabiyah, quelling the violence.—
Omar Albam,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In December, the Mouse House pledged to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and entered a three-year licensing agreement for allowing over 200 Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters’ likenesses to be used in Sora, quelling some of the text-to-video app’s brushups with copyright law.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While progressive Democrats are pushing to tax billionaires and close corporate loopholes, Republicans are warning that squeezing job creators will severely damage Illinois’ economy.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Higher fuel costs are leading to inflation and squeezing household budgets, while industries from manufacturing to transport are facing rising operating costs and supply disruptions.—
Julhas Alam,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Officers then shot her with a Taser, subduing her enough to take her into custody, police said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Trump thought the Secret Service did an excellent job subduing the gunman but the White House is reviewing security for major events for the country's 250th anniversary.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Murillo-Ortega dictatorship has been accused of repressing the Nicaraguan people — especially Catholic and LGBTQ citizens.—
Jake Shore,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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People fed up with rolling blackouts have staged sporadic protests in recent days, banging pots and shouting slogans against the government, rare demonstrations in a country known for repressing dissent.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Industry groups, meanwhile, are quashing proposals for higher taxes or stricter regulation by exerting pressure on lawmakers and cozying up to power players in the worlds of philanthropy, medicine, and science.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 May 2026
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Recently, scientists found that the sharks keep their eyesight well into senescence, not only quashing some suspicions that the animals were blind but also revealing their vision remains functional in low light for more than a century.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squashing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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