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

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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
Whether between film premieres or a post-Sundance reprieve, titans flock to the lodge for backcountry exploits like sporting clays, horseback riding, axe-throwing, and fly fishing — or opt to be whisked off to the private ski lounge. Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 There’s even a mold to make metal axe heads, a skill some archaeologists argued didn’t exist in Thailand 3,500 years ago. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Gateway officials said last week the work would halt indefinitely on Friday if the feds don’t let the congressional dollars flow — a stoppage that will endanger the project and axe about 1,000 jobs. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026 Trump has cited mortgage fraud allegations in his move to axe Cook, but critics have said the action appears tied to his push for lower interest rates. Alex Harring, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The result is a drama of surprising universality, in which a well-to-do couple becomes the target of unjust dismissals and persecution for political wrongthink against the Turkish regime.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lawrence was sacked five times but hardly seemed to notice, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Frank was sacked on Wednesday and is expected to be replaced on an interim basis by Igor Tudor.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The correct route onto the island, which is home to an MoD firing range, is via a barrier by QinetiQ’s security office.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • For Bill Self and others who follow Big 12 basketball, a rather quiet Sunday night was interrupted with the news of Jerome Tang’s firing as men’s basketball coach at Kansas State.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • These boats have the vertical launch system (VLS), which could be used to fire new high-speed anti-ship missiles displayed at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing last fall.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Police said one of the males in the fight brandished a handgun and fired gunshots at others.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But other parts of the department, including the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and significant parts of the cybersecurity and election-infrastructure offices, face furloughs, according to a person briefed on the plans.
    Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Her medical furlough was initially to be for three weeks, but her time out of prison lengthened, possibly on account of activists and Western powers pushing Iran to keep her free.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The trooper then removed Jackson from the vehicle.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Jailbreaking in this context refers to a process that removes software restrictions placed on a piece of hardware.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.
    JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Doug and Big Jane eventually retired down in San Antonio, close to their boys.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
  • La Shelle Dozier, SHRA’s longest serving executive director, retired in October.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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