Synonyms of ax

ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks 

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

• dismissal
• firing
• furlough
• layoff
• sack
• discharge
• boot
• redundancy
• closing
• pink slip
• shutdown
• heave-ho
• downsizing
• bird
• bum's rush
• shakeout
• shake-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reemployment
• recall
• callback
• rehire
• rehiring

ax

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sack
• fire
• remove
• dismiss
• retire
• release
• pink-slip
• terminate
• can
• muster out
• turn off
• discharge
• bounce
• show (someone) the door
• excess
• furlough
• trim
• cashier
• lay off
• send packing
• downsize
• kick out
• drum (out)
• chuck (out)
• unseat
• boot (out)
• separate
• throw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hire
• employ
• sign (up or on)
• engage
• retain
• keep
• take on
• contract
• rehire
• reemploy
• recruit
• subcontract

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ax

Noun

One combat sequence at the end is genuinely excellent because the film puts actual creative effort into staging a knife-versus-ax duel on a gangplank that sways back and forth over the water. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

In 2022, an 18-year-old man attacked two female teachers with a knife and an ax in a school in Malmo, killing them. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

The popular Red, Hot & Boom event — one of the largest Independence Day fireworks shows in Central Florida — has grown too expensive and too large and should be axed from the city budget, Altamonte Springs officials say. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Know More Schwartz took over in 2023 and axed any business in which Carlyle wasn’t or couldn’t be top-three. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026