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
Even the Surface Laptop Studio, which was supposed to replace the Surface Book, has been axed. Tom Warren, The Verge, 28 May 2026 Part of the decision to axe Destiny 2 now was to move more resources over to Marathon, now entering its second season. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • Hall heard oral arguments for the dismissal in April and has yet to issue a ruling.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • At dismissal, Fridley Middle’s teachers and many support staff put on their jackets, scarves and gloves and walked outside.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Lopetegui was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) the next day and replaced by Fernando Hierro.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • Opponents sacked Herbert 54 times last season, a career high.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Swierc and the American Civil Liberties Union sued Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns last September in federal court, claiming her firing was a violation of her First Amendment rights.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
  • Bilton was named to replace Tanya Simon on Thursday, an unexpected move that also came with the firings of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The violent arrest immediately sparked community protests, and Hyder was fired the next day.
    Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026
  • Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • One that would restore medical parole and medical furlough as exceptions to the elimination of parole recently passed.
    Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • Escalante Sandoval then approached the parked van, removed a key concealed in the gas cap and backed it up, allowing a group of people to move three deep freezers from the van into the bed of the truck and load them with packages.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • Nothing has been touched since the artist’s death in 2009 except for dust removed by a neighbor and caretaker.
    Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.
    Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • After teaching at Bard College for over two decades, Sante has retired from academia and lives in Kingston, New York.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido said in court that Perry is retired and received an honorable discharge from the military.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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