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
Other than the boulder, the stunt show at Disney World also features a bullwhip demonstration and falls from tall buildings, as well as stunts with axe-swinging stone soldiers and punji stick pressure plates. Jack Dunn, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025 By all accounts, David Brom has made the transition from prison to work release without a hitch, setting the stage that the Rochester ax killer could be granted parole as early as January. Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
Agencies also cancelled billions of dollars worth of grants, including the NIH grants the Supreme Court allowed the Administration to axe and environmental justice grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Connor Greene, Time, 1 Jan. 2026 Since then, his administration has proposed axing regulations on coal and gas power plants. Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • Parents said they were told the dismissal was not the result of criminal wrongdoing or abuse allegations.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
  • That immediate dismissal stirred up a new determination within the aspiring firefighter.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Philly flashbacks There was no shortage of hard feelings (and maybe some sour grapes) when the 49ers lost 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game following the 2022 season when Haason Reddick sacked Purdy and tore the UCL in his right elbow.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Miami punts The Hurricanes once again got past midfield, but Carson Beck was then sacked on back-to-back plays to force a Miami punt.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Tony Dungy, especially like Tony Dungy himself, to say that (expressing shock at John Harbaugh’s firing).
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
  • So the firings of Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Ravens’ Harbaugh have injected some juice into a Giants search that previously threatened to cast as wide and arbitrary a net as last year’s ridiculous Jets process.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After shooting Holmes several times, Taylor allegedly stepped away and then turned around and fired more shots into the victim, who was on the ground, according to the affidavit.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
  • One team member crawled inside and fired paintballs filled with vegetable oil, wildlife organization BEAR League told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Twelve days into the disruption, local businesses have been forced to lay off or furlough staff and significantly reduce employees’ hours.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Federal lawmakers are trying to avoid another closure that would lead to furloughs of thousands of federal workers and a pause in some government operations.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Everglades restoration involves removing as many of these dams as possible without risking flood control, while adding more reservoirs for water storage, all to revive a river of grass that flows once more.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Staff immediately removed him from his cell and provided medical aid.
    Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In September, Hecox filed a notice to dismiss the lawsuit.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Why was Alabama’s 31-17 loss to a 4-8 FSU team so easily dismissed by the committee?
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, the program will change where the sales tax dollars go — redirecting dollars that would have otherwise been added to the state’s general fund to pay for highways, schools and other services to pay off the project’s debt and retire the bonds.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Trent is a high school administrator, while Cheryl, now retired, spent her career as a juvenile probation officer, per Yahoo!
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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