kill off

verb

killed off; killing off; kills off
Synonyms of kill offnext

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.
Rahimi's deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco ahead 3-2 and Yassine killed off any chance of an upset with a goal in the 89th. CBS News, 24 June 2026 Pochettino made two substitutes with 10 minutes to go in the match to send on some fresh legs as the USA tried to kill off the game. David Close, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 Gray Davis, who was raised Catholic and returned to the church at the urging of his wife, effectively killed off Wilson’s anti-immigrant measure, Prop 187. Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 The finale also offers a fun solution to the classic season-two problem of continuing escalation by killing off poor Kenny the maintenance worker. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 June 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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