kill off

verb

killed off; killing off; kills off

transitive verb

: to destroy in large numbers or totally

Examples of kill off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wash and dry sturdier clothing in high heat to kill off any potential larvae. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025 Notably, Arquette, 54, Lillard, 55, and Foley, 53, are all back in Scream 7 despite their characters being killed off — for Lillard's Stu Macher, all the way back in the original 1996 Scream. Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 Joining her are other returning stars including some who were previously believed to be killed off, like David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 But by the end of the episode, they’re trapped in a dark theater with the same demonic infant, who kills off all but Ronnie and Lilly. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill off

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kill off was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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