ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks How to pronounce ax (audio)
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
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Now, Blazers Broadcasting is getting the axe, either through layoffs or contracts not being renewed. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Featuring exteriors by Redman Whiteley Dixon, the yacht showcases a sleek, clean profile with a near-vertical axe bow and a sweeping, curved superstructure. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
Verb
The Late Show famously ended in May after CBS axed the traditional late night talk show format. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 Continue reading … SPEAKING OUT — Meteorologist axed after Instagram rant blasts station's workplace culture. — FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
  1. dismissal
  2. sack
  3. firing
  4. fire
  5. furlough
  6. remove
  7. dismiss
  8. retire
Noun
  • In the span of a single week, the dismissal of a Ukrainian defense minister set in motion a transformation of the country’s armed forces that replaced the old guard with a new generation of leadership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Having disposed of the timeliness issue, the appeal court next turned to the merits of the dismissal of RCA's causes of action under the Hawaii UPEPA.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • The real one is back with the Hightowers in Tumbleton, which Ormund has sacked and occupied.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • That all powered Bryce Young — who was sacked only 27 times — to a career year as a passer and paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in Rico Dowdle (who has since moved on in free agency).
    — Alex Zietlow July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Definition of sack
Noun
  • But Wilson’s 2021 rag-dolling of Artemi Panarin and the front-office firings that followed two days later forever changed the course of the franchise.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • Turner, who was with Indiana last season but now plays for Las Vegas, said Indiana players were encouraged not to discuss the firing.
    — Alanis Thames, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of firing
Verb
  • Former University of Kansas golfer Matt Gogel fired a 7-under-par, bogey-free 63 on Sunday to jump 12 spots and tie for second place at the ISPS Handa Senior British Open at Gleneagles Kings Course in Scotland.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • In a separate incident last week, an officer fired one shot at a woman who was accused of shooting a handgun at trees in a far south Fort Worth neighborhood on Belshire Court.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • The city of Dallas announced Tuesday that General Fund employees will be required to take at least three furlough days to address the 2026 budget shortfall.
    — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • According to the city, on the three dates, non-uniform employees funded by the city's general fund will be required to participate in the furlough, and the days will be recorded as leave without pay.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of furlough
Verb
  • Less than two weeks after Johnson County Sheriff Adam King’s trial on a witness retaliation charge ended in a hung jury, King’s former chief deputy has filed a petition to remove him from office.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • Soon afterward, however, child welfare authorities removed the children from her home after concerns about their living situation.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of remove
Verb
  • Ray Wilkins was appointed manager and Fulham finished sixth — but Al Fayed was not satisfied, dismissing Wilkins and handing the job to Keegan.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Huffy, a brand once dismissed by some but historically durable and even Olympic-raced, has successfully reinvented itself in the e-bike market.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Sam Machado and his wife, Tammy Machado, who owned the property, and Tammy Machado’s sister, Reiko Matsumura, a former Yolo County sheriff’s deputy who went on leave after the explosion and retired in September.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Arts administrator Alina MacNichol retired in May after 12 years, according to the group’s social media.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

aw-shucks
ax
axed
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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ax

Nglish: Translation of ax for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ax

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