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
Suns star Devin Booker appeared to have an ax to grind against the officiating following the game. Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 There were no skeletons at the bottom, just various farm implements (an axe, a bark spud used for peeling bark off fresh tree trunks, a chain, and various minor trinkets). Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
After she and the entire staff at the New York Vanguard get axed via text message, Andy makes a stirring speech championing the importance of journalism. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 The Boston Red Sox, in last place in the American League East, let go of Alex Cora, and then the Philadelphia Phillies axed Rob Thomson. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • But mostly the dismissal of Hathaway’s grand clownery in this was transferred hatred for the objectionable movie itself.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • Hegseth seemed to emerge with solid Republican support, though a few GOP senators asked about the dismissal of a top Army general and sought assurances that the Pentagon is doing everything possible to prevent civilian deaths.
    Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Andy Sachs (Hathaway) has just been sacked from her respected position as an award-winning reporter at a vital, forward-thinking political news outlet.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
  • While Troy may well have been sacked in a war, historians are largely unwilling to accept that it was ever destroyed by a crack team of Greek soldiers hidden inside a giant wooden horse.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Weltman’s first coaching change with Orlando was his firing of Frank Vogel in 2018 and hiring of Clifford, which took 48 days.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 May 2026
  • Pressure from the administration In recent weeks, high-profile decisions in closely-watched, controversial immigration court cases appear to have led to the firing of immigration court judges, for instance, who seemingly ruled against the wishes of the current administration.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Mosley was fired Monday morning after the Magic’s season ended Sunday at Detroit in Game 7 of their first-round NBA playoff series.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 May 2026
  • He was arrested after firing a shotgun in the direction of stairs leading to the ballroom dinner area, prosecutors said in an April 29 court filing.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • Sade is in prison and is staying with Mina while on a three-day furlough, which provides a neat framework for their reunion.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
  • In December 2024, she had been granted a medical furlough from prison due to her ongoing poor health.
    Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • On the Met steps, Osaka opened her dress and removed her headpiece for a grand reveal underneath.
    Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • While the salt helps with debris and odor, soap and warm water help to remove more residue and bacteria.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • That lawsuit, along with a countersuit by the PGA Tour, was dismissed a year later.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • There’s too much effort, too much time, and too much sincerity apparent behind this film to dismiss it outright.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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