Synonyms of ax

ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks 

variants or axe

as in dismissal

the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily

the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismissal
• firing
• furlough
• layoff
• sack
• discharge
• boot
• redundancy
• closing
• pink slip
• shutdown
• heave-ho
• downsizing
• bird
• bum's rush
• shakeout
• shake-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reemployment
• recall
• callback
• rehire
• rehiring

ax

2 of 2

verb

variants or axe

as in to sack

to let go from office, service, or employment

the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sack
• fire
• remove
• dismiss
• retire
• release
• pink-slip
• terminate
• can
• muster out
• turn off
• discharge
• bounce
• show (someone) the door
• excess
• furlough
• trim
• cashier
• lay off
• send packing
• downsize
• kick out
• drum (out)
• chuck (out)
• unseat
• boot (out)
• separate
• throw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hire
• employ
• sign (up or on)
• engage
• retain
• keep
• take on
• contract
• rehire
• reemploy
• recruit
• subcontract

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ax

Noun

Mavericks assistant coach Popeye Jones, a two-time teammate of Finley in 1996 and the 2002-03 season, was also in attendance, trying his best in the axe throwing competition. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026

There’s an incredible sequence where Zazie Beetz’s character fights cultists with a flaming axe. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

But this project was bedeviled with budget trouble, and axed before anyone got to see it. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

Block is not the only company that wants to axe middle management. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026