ax 1 of 2

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

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
The 2014 outbreak in West Africa likely began with an axe. Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026 The axe has fallen on several network and cable TV shows this year, including a few long-running mainstays. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
Verb
For the first time since temporarily axing the base model WRX for 2025, Subaru regained traction with its sport compact, with sales jumping 50% from a year ago. Byron Hurd, The Drive, 4 June 2026 Trump himself has not publicly commented on the compensation fund getting axed. ABC News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • While the primary suit was settled with no monetary compensation for either side, Lively’s lawyers preserved their motion to pursue damages and fees related to the dismissal of Baldoni’s suit.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
  • Reps for Paramount and Shell did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the dismissal filings.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • But the Falcons’ collapse became more likely late in the fourth quarter when Trey Flowers sacked Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who failed to throw the ball away on second-and-11 at the Patriots’ 23-yard line with less than four minutes to go.
    Zach Powell, New York Times, 12 June 2026
  • That statement stood in stark contrast to the longstanding stodginess of the Kings, which dissipated into flat-out ineffectiveness under Jim Hiller for three quarters of last season until he was sacked.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Guests also love the daily tradition that starts by the fireplace in the main lobby, processes to a ceremonial firing of a replica 19th-century cannon on the edge of Mobile Bay, and finishes with light bites back at the hotel.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • The board voted 7-0 after meeting in executive session to consider the firing of Jennifer Honka.
    Logan Smith, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Uruguay's efforts finally yield fruit as Maximiliano Araújo fires home in the 80th minute from close range on the left after Al-Owais made an initial save of a Uruguayan header but left the ball alive in the box.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026
  • The chief told The Times the officer who fired the shot was no longer on the force, and the district attorney’s office was reviewing whether the behavior was criminal in nature.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Many employees will also be forced to take unpaid furloughs.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • In addition to layoffs, Bell is entering a four-week furlough period for certain staff on the MV-75 team that begins June 14.
    Mary Ella Hastings, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • If that happens, remove the safety clip, hold the can with both hands, and prepare to spray when the bear is roughly 30 to 40 feet away.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • For that matter, Spencer Schwellenbach’s rehabilitation from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow will be closer to completion.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The charges of using a computer to commit a crime and interfering with a telecommunications device were dismissed, according to prosecutors.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • In January 2021, Erickson was charged with one misdemeanor count of reckless driving, but the charge was later dismissed, his lawyer Mark Werksman told The New York Times.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The Pirates had just one more hit off Lauer who retired 15 of the next 16 batters after the back-to-back home runs.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
  • Baker retired Masataka Yoshida and Gasper in order to finish things off.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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