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.
Cooking or high-heat methods Less critical Cooking kills off most bacteria, so the risks are minimal. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025 During the dry summers when no water flows over the weir the lagoon becomes stagnant, sometimes filling with algae and killing off large numbers of fish. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 Doherty was later unceremoniously fired and her character Prue Halliwell was killed off. Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025 Beyond the Gates on Thursday killed off Doug McBride, the character originated by Jason Graham. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 26 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 4 Oct. 2025.

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