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

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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
Not only is the cast outstanding (with Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto and Reese Witherspoon) but the 1980s satire is as sharp as Bateman's ax. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026 Once at the home, which sits just north of Burbank Boulevard, police found a bloody scene and investigators believe the woman was bludgeoned to death with an axe, Fox Los Angeles reported. Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Tens of thousands of public health jobs axed. Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026 In Maine where much of the line was constructed, the project faced heavy opposition and a 2021 referendum, during which voters elected to axe the project. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • The 7th Circuit later granted an emergency stay of Ellis’ injunctive relief pending appeal, a process that will also be shelved once the dismissal is approved.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
  • School cancellations No schools have reported closures or early dismissal as of Friday morning.
    Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Dak got sacked and lost seven yards.
    Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Herbert was sacked a career-high 54 times while playing behind an offensive line that was without top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater because of season-ending injuries.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The board’s firing of then-Superintendent Marie Feagins just months into her tenure led to White and Taylor filing takeover legislation last year.
    Bri Hatch, Chalkbeat, 26 Jan. 2026
  • His hiring comes less than two weeks after Herbert fell to 0-3 in the playoffs following a 16-3 AFC wild-card loss to the New England Patriots, resulting in offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s firing.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Lakeside's previous police chief, who also served as mayor, Robert Gordanaire, was fired after he and his daughter, the town clerk, were indicted by a grand jury for selling vehicles belonging to the town and pocketing the profit.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The furlough affects about 40% of the 406 employees who work at the western Massachusetts facility, where partially assembled car shells shipped from China are outfitted for service on the Red and Orange Lines.
    State House News Service, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Russian data show unpaid wages nearly tripled in October from a year ago to more than $27 million, with furloughs and shorter workweeks becoming more common.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But videos of the incident do not show Pretti brandishing a gun, and one video appears to show an officer removing a gun from Pretti's waistband just moments before another agent fired the first shot.
    Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Once clear, the groups installed malware by removing the hard drive and installing the software directly, replacing the hard drive with one preloaded with Ploutus, or connecting an external device, such as a thumb drive, to deploy the malware.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • However, a White House official dismissed speculation.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Continue reading … LEGAL LOOPHOLE – Luigi Mangione returns to court as judge weighs defense motion to dismiss death penalty charge.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Two of her fellow teacher-in-space contenders - both retired now - attended a memorial ceremony last week as the families of the astronauts gathered back at the launch site.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Adam Wainwright played for Team USA in the final year of his career in 2023, and Clayton Kershaw will play for America this year despite retiring after last season.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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