as in dismissals
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in centers
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
in addition to being the suburb's social axis, the country club is the place where deals are made and partnerships are forged
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in alliances
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection
an axis of previously nonaligned nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sacks
to let go from office, service, or employment
the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of axes
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Lorentz's wedding consisted of 500 guests of friends and family, as well as other colleagues in carpentry who came with axes to pay tribute.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Each was pointing roughly in the same direction, with their long axes running from northwest to southeast.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
If the third round of browser wars is already underway, the battlefield looks very different from the days when the main axes of competition were things like speed and tab management.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
However, raw cell sourcing is global and should be covered with buffer inventories and prepositioned chargers near likely axes.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Video of the robbery circulating online shows the masked people carrying what appears to be pick axes, crow bars and tire irons.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
His models could have been downloaded from Zelda, with cargo pants that held axes and sword sheaths remade in fabric.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
This enables a statistical analysis of planetary properties across various axes, such as planet mass, size, composition, age, and formation processes, Kane tells me.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
The system is adjustable to different blade types and styles, enabling him to sharpen anything from machetes, axes and lawn mower blades to scissors and steak and bread knives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Lorentz's wedding consisted of 500 guests of friends and family, as well as other colleagues in carpentry who came with axes to pay tribute.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Each was pointing roughly in the same direction, with their long axes running from northwest to southeast.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
If the third round of browser wars is already underway, the battlefield looks very different from the days when the main axes of competition were things like speed and tab management.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
However, raw cell sourcing is global and should be covered with buffer inventories and prepositioned chargers near likely axes.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Video of the robbery circulating online shows the masked people carrying what appears to be pick axes, crow bars and tire irons.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
His models could have been downloaded from Zelda, with cargo pants that held axes and sword sheaths remade in fabric.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
This enables a statistical analysis of planetary properties across various axes, such as planet mass, size, composition, age, and formation processes, Kane tells me.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
The passed by Republicans last month axes the credits for projects that don’t begin producing electricity by 2028.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for axes
Verb
-
Manning, back for what is probably his final season, is on the short list of best returning quarterbacks in the country and edge rusher Colin Simmons won the SEC sacks title with 12.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Riley Moss sacks a scrambling Trevor Lawrence on third-and-4 for a 1-yard loss.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The cartridge fires a 40-grain bullet at approximately 1,260 feet per second.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Oh, and if Indiana fires him without cause, Cignetti would be due 100% of his remaining salary.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other types of filters include activated carbon, which removes odors, chemicals, and harmful gases, and UV-C light filters, which can kill bacteria and viruses.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In an overly dramatic transformation sequence, Robert’s boss removes the necklace and is bathed in light — only to wind up a few inches shorter and brunette.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The agreement, signed earlier this month, dismisses the federal lawsuit alleging officers should have known Dante Dwaine Day, 44, was having a mental crisis and called for intervention.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
19 Dec. 2025
-
The horror meister also dismisses outright any talk online about slowing his filmmaking pace after the box office disappointment for Keeper.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That gas feeds the central black hole, which then releases gentle energy—enough to prevent new stars from forming, but not enough to destroy the galaxy.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Take a look at this week’s best new music releases below.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Moon abruptly retires, the narrator goes to Korea to find him.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Officials are also working to hire a new human resources director to succeed Susan Brazeau, who retires in March.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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