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
  • Awosika, Biadasz and Strange were key offseason free-agent signings Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz made in order to fill the gaps between Slater and Alt and better protect Herbert, who was sacked 54 times during the 2025 season, the most in any of his five previous NFL seasons.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
  • And as Pulisic’s private jet made its way from Italy to New York, the club’s coach, sporting director and two other top executives were sacked.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Pelley heard those comments, evidently for the first time, during his emotional first interview after the firing.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
  • In this particular moment, this summer, there has been a severe rupture, and that's partly because of the way that these firings were carried out.
    Zulekha Nathoo, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • An Orange County man downed 2 quarts of Jack Daniel’s before firing a gun multiple times inside his Laguna Niguel home, forcing terrified relatives to flee.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
  • Three deputies fired their guns, and the man was struck multiple times.
    Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 9 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
  • South of Miami, the Florida Keys are known for their laidback charm, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Orlando's theme parks.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • The car has since been removed, and the Shorewood Building Department is evaluating the damage.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 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
  • 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 10 Jun. 2026.

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