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.
If possible, let your mattress air out in natural sunlight—this can help with smells and even kill off some bacteria, according to Stein. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025 Cecilia's character, Jessica Lockhart, was killed off of Days of Our Lives, and Joey's character, Drake Ramoray, was getting Jessica's brain. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025 To obviate Russia’s threat, Ukraine does not need to kill off every Russian soldier. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025 Consider the character of Thessalie Wayward, a successful stage mentalist until the Depression and the talkies killed off vaudeville. Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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