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

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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

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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

Several masked suspects then rush through the opening, including one who appears to be carrying an axe. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Smit Machchhar with a cabin axe before trying to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls, sending the plane plummeting. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

In a report on the outage published on Friday, NATS said a software defect in the National Airspace System, which allocates codes so air traffic controllers can identify flights on radar, was behind the decision to ax the flights. — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 While there was skepticism whether the series would ever see the light of day, Apple TV had consistently held the line that The Savant was delayed but not axed and will be released. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax

Noun

His lawyers, making the motion for dismissal, argued that Kuznietsov was still an active duty soldier and as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak for reasons of secrecy linked to national security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Even if Chili’s dismissal is unrelated, an ex-employee is a good place to start.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Noun

Each afternoon, the staff pays homage to the hotel’s past with a military procession and cannon firing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments reflect a heated debate over the firing of a substitute teacher who had an OnlyFans account.

— Dan Simmons, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of firing

Verb

While many of the more contentious and controversial aspects of his life are presented in one-sided fashion, friend and former manager Rory Holloway’s still-raw sense of betrayal at Tyson firing his entire team is evoked with vivid irritation.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Gillis was fired from SNL in 2019 for racist and homophobic comments, but has been invited back to host three times since.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fire

Verb

The woman contacted her 72-year-old father, who came out of the house to remove Gonzalez.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
While no service can promise to remove all your data from the internet, a data removal service can monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

The stance has seen Newsom, who warns the passage of Prop 40 could see an exodus of the super rich from California, mocked and dismissed by fellow Democrats.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
The complaint was ultimately dismissed, and Iowa's Republican leaders celebrated the ruling.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

Nasser Barghouti, who is slightly leading Khan in large-dollar donations to American Priorities, simply stated that he is retired and residing in Dallas.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Speaking of bouncing back, the Saints have been looking for stability after legendary coach Jennie Kull retired following the 2022 season.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of retire

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aw-shucks

axed

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“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ax

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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