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.
The resulting juice also keeps more of its nutrients because centrifugal juicers produce heat from friction that kills off nutrients. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 Several characters are killed off throughout the new movie, some minor and a few shockingly major, although the ending implies not all of the deaths will be permanent. Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026 Percy and Richardson's deaths came a few weeks after Fergus (César Domboy) was killed off in a major deviation from Diana Gabaldon's book series, of which the Starz series is based. Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 To Henry, this would have been for the greater good of English football, but the reaction was again one of anger and Henry was annoyed that the idea was killed off. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on kill off

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster