Squash — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adverb /ˈskwäsh/

Meaning & Definition of Squash

Squash (verb)

  1. to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass, crush
  2. put down, suppress
  3. to flatten out under pressure or impact

Squash (noun)

  1. something soft and easily crushed; specifically, an unripe pod of peas
  2. the sudden fall of a heavy soft body or the sound of such a fall
  3. squelch
  4. any of various fruits of plants (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family widely cultivated as vegetables; also, a plant and especially a vine that bears squashes

Squash (adverb)

  1. with a squash or a squashing sound

Squash (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to become a pulpy mass

    "the sort of person who couldn't even squash a bug"

    similar: crush, mash, pulp
    related: press, squeeze, beat, pound, powder, pulverize

  2. to put a stop to (something) by the use of force

    "squashed any effort to reform the country's power structure"

    similar: clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squelch, subdue, suppress, sit on
    related: douse, extinguish, put out, quench, smother, stifle, strangle, throttle, annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck, exterminate, obliterate, wipe out, conquer, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subjugate, vanquish
    near: abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up), advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Squash

The most common words with a similar meaning to Squash:

crush, mash, pulp, clamp down (on), crack down (on), put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, slap down, snuff (out), squelch, subdue, suppress, sit on

Related Words for Squash

press, squeeze, beat, pound, powder, pulverize, douse, extinguish, put out, quench, smother, stifle, strangle, throttle, annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck, exterminate, obliterate, wipe out, conquer

Near Antonyms of Squash

abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up), advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Word Forms of Squash

Inflections: squashed, squashing, squashes

Derived words: squasher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Squash

alteration of Middle English squachen to crush, annul, from Anglo-French esquacher, from Old French es- ex- + quachier to hide from view, from Vulgar Latin *coacticare to press together cache

First known use: 1565t

Words & Phrases Containing Squash

squash bug, squash racquets, squash tennis, squash up, acorn squash, butternut squash

Frequently Asked Questions about Squash

What does "Squash" mean?

"Squash" means to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass, crush. As an a verb, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass, crush. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Squash"?

Other words for "Squash" include crush, mash, pulp, clamp down (on), crack down (on), put down, quash and quell. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Squash" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Squash"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Squash". Common alternatives include crush, mash, pulp, clamp down (on), crack down (on), put down, quash, quell, repress and silence.

How do you use "Squash" in a sentence?

Examples of "Squash" in a sentence: "the sort of person who couldn't even squash a bug"; "squashed any effort to reform the country's power structure".

Is "Squash" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Squash" can be used as a verb, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Squash"?

"Squash" is pronounced /ˈskwäsh/.

What is the origin of the word "Squash"?

"Squash" comes from alteration of Middle English squachen to crush, annul, from Anglo-French esquacher, from Old French es- ex- + quachier to hide from view, from Vulgar Latin *coacticare to press together cache. First known use: 1565t.

What is another word for "Squash" meaning "to cause to become a pulpy mass"?

When "Squash" (verb) means to cause to become a pulpy mass, synonyms include crush, mash and pulp.