variants
or poleaxe
1
: a battle-ax with a short handle and often a hook or spike opposite the blade
also
: one with a long handle used as an ornamental weapon
2
: an ax used in slaughtering cattle
variants
or poleaxe
poleaxed; poleaxing; poleaxes
: to attack, strike, or fell with or as if with a poleax
Examples of poleax in a Sentence
Verb
He went down as if he'd been poleaxed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2019
Even before Mr Johnson poleaxed Parliament, this was not going to be easy.
—The Economist, 29 Aug. 2019
Soon after, another rocketed into Steve Smith's neck -- just below his left ear -- poleaxing the Aussie batsman.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 19 Aug. 2019
Iran’s oil production has dropped by 1.5 million barrel a day over the past year, poleaxing the Islamic Republic’s economy.
—Time, 4 July 2019
House Republicans, who began the week with just 40 days of work left on their calendar — seriously, check for yourself — will have spent four of them being poleaxed on issues that divide their conference and alienate most voters.
—David Weigel, Washington Post, 22 June 2018
Kyle Walker swung a lazy arm across Fakhreddine Ben Youssef who fell as if poleaxed and Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot, with his decision being upheld by the VAR.
—Daniel Hicks, chicagotribune.com, 19 June 2018
Beijing has proved adept at directing China’s shopping habits: An unofficial boycott of South Korean goods after the country deployed a missile defense system poleaxed local sales for Hyundai and retailer Lotte Shopping Co. in 2016 and 2017.
—Bloomberg.com, 8 Mar. 2018
The Eagles poleaxed the Minnesota Vikings in front of more than 69,000 fans (nice) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Sunday night.
—Jack Holmes, Esquire, 22 Jan. 2018
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Verb
Moreover, some strong farm and minerals prices persisted even after the financial-sector debacle of 2007-09 put the general U.S. economy into recession and poleaxed the stock market.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2019
Even before Mr Johnson poleaxed Parliament, this was not going to be easy.
—The Economist, 29 Aug. 2019
Soon after, another rocketed into Steve Smith's neck -- just below his left ear -- poleaxing the Aussie batsman.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 19 Aug. 2019
Iran’s oil production has dropped by 1.5 million barrel a day over the past year, poleaxing the Islamic Republic’s economy.
—Time, 4 July 2019
House Republicans, who began the week with just 40 days of work left on their calendar — seriously, check for yourself — will have spent four of them being poleaxed on issues that divide their conference and alienate most voters.
—David Weigel, Washington Post, 22 June 2018
Kyle Walker swung a lazy arm across Fakhreddine Ben Youssef who fell as if poleaxed and Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot, with his decision being upheld by the VAR.
—Daniel Hicks, chicagotribune.com, 19 June 2018
Beijing has proved adept at directing China’s shopping habits: An unofficial boycott of South Korean goods after the country deployed a missile defense system poleaxed local sales for Hyundai and retailer Lotte Shopping Co. in 2016 and 2017.
—Bloomberg.com, 8 Mar. 2018
The Eagles poleaxed the Minnesota Vikings in front of more than 69,000 fans (nice) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Sunday night.
—Jack Holmes, Esquire, 22 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Poleax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poleax. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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