ax 1 of 2

variants or axe
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
Her grandfather, Mikhail Alexandrovich, immediately sets about beating the left-handedness out of her, and occasionally chasing her with an axe. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025 Perhaps the new show has an improbable axe throw of its own. Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
The kiss was almost axed from the film's theatrical release, but a mass uprising of employees at the House of Mouse's animation subsidiary, Pixar, worked to reinstate it. Shania Russell, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025 But, in June, the VOA was rocked by widespread layoffs that axed most of the broadcaster’s staff. Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • Bolsonaro hoped for a similar dismissal of legal proceedings against him and dreamed of winning back the presidency when Brazil held elections in 2026.
    Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In a letter to staff at the embassy following his dismissal, Mandelson described his role as ambassador as the ‘privilege of my life,’ the BBC reported.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Beyond the considerable issue of adequately defending the potent Eagles offense, the Chiefs most obviously will seek to better protect Mahomes — who was sacked six times and pressured 16 times without the Eagles blitzing once.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
  • He's also been sacked three times (3) while rushing for a total of negative-three yards on 13 carries (including sacks).
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Chapman weathered the pandemic without layoffs, furloughs or cuts to salaries and benefits, Struppa said.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Late 2024 – Early 2025 – The airline cuts jobs, furloughs pilots, sells aircraft, and rejects a Frontier merger offer while trying to stabilize.
    Will McGough, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Sheen was fired from the series in 2011.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dowd was fired later that evening.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By removing color, the focus shifts to texture, light, gesture, and gaze — emphasizing the nuances of connection and the multiplicity of what love can look like beyond normative, romanticized ideals.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, have begun removing videos of the attack.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite lacking any legal education or experience, Routh dismissed his lawyers earlier this year and intends to defend himself at trial.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When retail loses money, it’s often dismissed as inexperience.
    Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But nonprofits are sounding the alarm that HIV/AIDS projects have been terminated regardless.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The now former employee, 23-year-old David Berriochoa, told the Idaho Statesman that he was terminated from the department’s Human Rights Commission on Friday morning after screenshots of one of his comments — and some of his personal information — were spread widely online.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This year’s results covering 2023 and 2024, which were shared exclusively with Forbes, will be released tomorrow.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Agents detained two suspects – including one at the scene of the crime – but later released them and cleared them of any involvement.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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