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

The plane’s first officer, an Omani man named Hamam al-Hammami, had assaulted the plane’s Indian captain with an emergency axe and steered the aircraft into a nosedive. — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

The Indian captain opened the cockpit door after being attacked with an ax so that passengers could restrain the terrorist co-pilot. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Tasting Table also cited the chain's rewards program and its decision to axe the surcharge for dairy-free milk options. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

This is not the first lawsuit filed since UC Davis axed the varsity equestrian team in January. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026