1
as in to destroy
to deprive of life
during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote
the Senate killed the bill by a single vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to delete
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike up the mountain just about killed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic
with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to deactivate
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in race
Related Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of kill
Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
Last season, especially over the latter half of the campaign following the Miller trade, Vancouver’s penalty kill morphed into a serious weapon.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Greg Myre, NPR, 28 June 2025
An Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London has been canceled days after the fatal crash that killed 241 people on board.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kill
Verb
With a chance for a penalty kill, Abbotsford’s Linus Karlsson wrapped around goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to tie the game again at 2-2.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
Last season, especially over the latter half of the campaign following the Miller trade, Vancouver’s penalty kill morphed into a serious weapon.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
The changes came rapidly when Israel began an offensive against Hezbollah last fall, beginning with exploding pagers that killed or wounded many group members simultaneously.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 28 June 2025
An Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London has been canceled days after the fatal crash that killed 241 people on board.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
-
In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The Post, like much of New York city’s establishment, was already dismissing Mamdani as too extreme to win in the Democratic mayoral primary.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
-
Social media companies have already gotten several claims dismissed, including a claim of unjust enrichment, Goetz said, because Nazario failed to respond to them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
La Liga had to delete the registration of new FC Barcelona star Joan Garcia after mistakenly including him in the Catalans' first team squad on Friday afternoon, a few hours after the goalkeeper signed his contract at the Joan Gamper CT.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
For those who are not U.S. citizens, there is no guarantee that photos taken at airports will be deleted.—
Acacia Gabriel,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
She’s known for crafting the clothes worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
28 June 2025
-
The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The writer was fascinated with sharks after spotting them during childhood fishing trips with his father on Nantucket.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
20 June 2025
-
That stuff about the Gunn Mummy fascinates me though.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2025
-
Verve’s innovative gene-editing technology, which permanently deactivates the PCSK9 gene to address high cholesterol, represents a breakthrough approach to cardiovascular disease treatment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
The unresolved legal process has gripped observers across the United States, resurfacing debates about the death penalty, victims' rights and the responsibilities of prosecutors in high-profile cases.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
-
According to a letter sent to victims' family members discussing a new plea agreement, cited by the outlet, however, Kohberger is expected to enter a guilty plea on all charges.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Last year, his season featured 24 races across six months.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
The book chronicles Rajamani’s extraordinary survival from a massive brain hemorrhage at age 25, tackling themes of disability, race, and cultural taboos.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share