AXE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks

variants or axe

Definition of ax

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

At the resort, there’s a host of activities and amenities, including four golf courses with 10-18 holes each, bass fishing, axe throwing, pickleball, and more. — Megan Dubois, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Elsewhere on the grounds, axe throwing is back, along with a shooting gallery and a fire pit for roasting s’mores. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

The popular Red, Hot & Boom event — one of the largest Independence Day fireworks shows in Central Florida — has grown too expensive and too large and should be axed from the city budget, Altamonte Springs officials say. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Know More Schwartz took over in 2023 and axed any business in which Carlyle wasn’t or couldn’t be top-three. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax

Noun

The dismissal of his pitching coaches in August, the stunning announcement of Kroenke’s purchase of the club just last week.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Does M’Benga’s past experience, and Kirk’s father’s dismissal as Reeger’s second officer, offer any answers?

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

Since 2020, Joe Burrow has been sacked a league-worst 10 percent of the time in openers and has lost four times, a league-high.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The Ducks sacked Madsen three times for 15 yards, but their defensive front didn’t show too much attacking intent.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of sack

Noun

That was a stunner, but surely Michigan would come out firing and put the 2025 MAC champions away.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Conclusion Laser weapons offer rapid engagement, deep magazines, and significantly lower firing costs than many conventional defensive missiles.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of firing

Verb

The suit says La Strada twice raised concerns with Hoskins, but his Capitol security badge then was deactivated before a hearing in the case and he was fired effective May 1.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
The crackdown — which included police firing tear gas at demonstrators — comes ahead of December’s general election in which President Adama Barrow will seek a controversial third term.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

Pilots, flight attendants and other aviation workers faced pay cuts and furloughs from the decrease in flyers.

— Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Former employees said Monday was coincidentally the day their layoffs from the hospital became official after months of furlough.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of furlough

Verb

Third, Whyte and others dismiss our conclusion because many of the studies examining AI in medicine are simulations.

— Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026
If the case is not settled, dismissed or dropped before the trial date, it would be heard during the 2028 presidential primary elections.

— Violet Jira, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

In 2024, not long after Federer retired, the ATP saw its first top 10 composed entirely of two-handers.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Gaining enough prestige and respect in the industry himself to become the president of the elite organization Stunts Unlimited, Scott retired at 30 in order to direct.

— William Earl, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

aw-shucks

axed

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to ax

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ax

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Taking an Ax—or Axe?—to the...

‘Ax’ vs. ‘Axe’: Which is...

8 Words with Secret Meanings Only the...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ax

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quorum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes