ax 1 of 2

variants or axe
Definition of axnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ax

2 of 2

verb

variants or axe

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 ax
Noun
Last month, two Israeli soldiers were removed from combat duty after a photo circulated online showing one of the soldiers taking what appeared to be an axe or sledgehammer to the face of a statue of Jesus Christ in the area of the Christian village of Debel, in southern Lebanon. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026 The Colorado Rockies surged after Clint Hurdle got the axe, and Jim Tracy was brought in, reaching their second-straight Wild Card game after finishing 74-42 under the second skipper. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Verb
After she and the entire staff at the New York Vanguard get axed via text message, Andy makes a stirring speech championing the importance of journalism. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 The Boston Red Sox, in last place in the American League East, let go of Alex Cora, and then the Philadelphia Phillies axed Rob Thomson. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • Fani, who remains an associate professor, claimed his dismissal followed pressure from pro-Israel groups.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • At the time of his death, the 53-year-old president was enmeshed in a constitutional crisis over his tenure, and his ruling by decree following his dismissal of the Parliament.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Starmer sacked Mandelson last September after a trove of emails revealed the depth of his ties with Epstein.
    Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • But there have also been frequent changes in the dugout, with seven managers since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked in November 2019, and a major change in the boardroom, with the Lewis family removing Daniel Levy from his role as executive chairman last September.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Weltman’s first coaching change with Orlando was his firing of Frank Vogel in 2018 and hiring of Clifford, which took 48 days.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 May 2026
  • Pressure from the administration In recent weeks, high-profile decisions in closely-watched, controversial immigration court cases appear to have led to the firing of immigration court judges, for instance, who seemingly ruled against the wishes of the current administration.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Mosley was fired Monday morning after the Magic’s season ended Sunday at Detroit in Game 7 of their first-round NBA playoff series.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 May 2026
  • He was arrested after firing a shotgun in the direction of stairs leading to the ballroom dinner area, prosecutors said in an April 29 court filing.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • Sade is in prison and is staying with Mina while on a three-day furlough, which provides a neat framework for their reunion.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
  • In December 2024, she had been granted a medical furlough from prison due to her ongoing poor health.
    Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • On the Met steps, Osaka opened her dress and removed her headpiece for a grand reveal underneath.
    Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • While the salt helps with debris and odor, soap and warm water help to remove more residue and bacteria.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Then in September, Newsom's Legal Affairs Secretary David Sapp sent an email to JUSD administrators on what appeared to include a copy of the state's motion to dismiss that lawsuit, as seen in public records obtained by Fox News Digital.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
  • Curiel also declined to dismiss causes of action against three of the deputy’s supervisors, who are accused of knowing the female deputy failed to return to the scene and had dissuaded Quinones from providing assistance.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ax

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster