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

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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
Activities found every weekend at the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire include axe or spear throwing, archery, dagger tossing, a Fight the Knight Challenge and a scavenger hunt. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 But the first to get the axe was Mendoza. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
Now, federal incentives have been axed and the new automaker has had to pivot. — Sara Lacey, The Drive, 25 June 2026 Since September of 2024, federal science agencies in the US have axed nearly 120,000 employees, in a stinging loss for public research. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 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 its filing seeking dismissal of the case, Paramount’s legal team argued that the plaintiffs — Pamela Faust, Len Marazzo, Lisa McCarthy, Deborah Rubinsohn and Gary Talewsky — do not have standing.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • The pitching staff has struggled throughout the year, particularly at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, leading to the dismissal of longtime pitching coach Scott Emerson on Monday.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, after days of widespread protests against the removal of the country’s popular defense minister.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • He was sacked in October 2011 after just eleven games in charge, with the club’s board citing poor results and a lack of improvement in performances.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of sack
Noun
  • The comment resulted in the employee being fired, but the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the firing violated the employee’s First Amendment rights.
    — Corey Schmidt July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Such a timeline seems plausible, as Russian officials have previously disclosed that the RD-0169A rocket engine intended to power the Amur rocket is in the preliminary stages of test firings.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of firing
Verb
  • The Red Sox have surged without their injured ace, Garrett Crochet, who last pitched on April 25, the day Breslow fired manager Alex Cora and five coaches in a panic move, power play or, perhaps, a prescient vision of what a change could mean.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Iran launched waves of strikes towards Bahrain, while Jordan’s state news agency said the country shot down four missiles fired from Iran.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 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
  • Hanaway’s office filed a petition to remove Johnston from office, alleging misconduct, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • The star’s daughter Zahara, 21, and son Maddox, 24, are both seeking to remove Pitt from their legal names, according to court documents filed in California.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of remove
Verb
  • The case had not gone to trial yet, and the charges were dismissed Wednesday as a result of his death, records show.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury, but the second charge was later dismissed after the substances tested for were not found to be present in his blood, the statement at the time read.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • After the Chiefs’ disappointing season last year, a lot of people thought Kelce would retire.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 17 July 2026
  • Fricker went on to star in another ITV drama Seekers, 1994 sports comedy Angels in the Outfield, 1997’s Masterminds, and 2011’s Albert Nobbs, before retiring from big-screen roles in 2015.
    — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 17 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 23 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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