Synonyms of axes

axes 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of ax

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

• dismissals
• firings
• furloughs
• layoffs
• redundancies
• discharges
• boots
• sacks
• pink slips
• birds
• closings
• shutdowns
• bum's rushes
• shakeouts
• heave-hos
• shake-ups

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• callbacks
• recalls
• rehires
• reemployments

axes

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of axis

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

• centers
• capitals
• hubs
• foci
• meccas
• bases
• nuclei
• hearts
• seats
• cores
• nexuses
• loci
• epicenters
• centrals
• playgrounds
• nerve centers
• headquarters
• navels
• ground zeros
• eyes
• cynosures
• omphali
• hot spots
• magnets
• kernels
• hives
• hotbeds
• nubs
• essences
• attractions
• lodestones
• piths
• thicks
• happy hunting grounds
• deeps
• playlands
• souls
• polestars
• quintessences

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

• alliances
• unions
• coalitions
• confederacies
• leagues
• federations
• combinations
• groups
• partnerships
• combines
• blocs
• confederations
• blocks
• organizations
• associations
• factions
• wings
• sides
• cartels
• fusions
• conspiracies
• fronts
• affiliations
• cooperatives
• cabals
• syndicates
• trusts
• conferences
• juntos
• circuits

axes

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of ax

as in sacks

to let go from office, service, or employment

the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sacks
• fires
• removes
• dismisses
• releases
• retires
• cans
• discharges
• terminates
• turns off
• pink-slips
• excesses
• bounces
• musters out
• shows (someone) the door
• trims
• cashiers
• boots (out)
• lays off
• sends packing
• furloughs
• downsizes
• kicks out
• drums (out)
• separates
• throws out
• unseats
• chucks (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employs
• signs (up or on)
• engages
• retains
• hires
• takes on
• keeps
• contracts
• recruits
• reemploys
• rehires
• subcontracts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of axes

Noun

Soon doctors and others will snatch fire axes to crack through the cabinets’ Plexiglas fronts and pry open the doors. —Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

Plus, the Paintbox kids also spend time outside with an archery and kid-friendly axe-throwing set (no real axes, although there are for adults) and at the farm for various activities. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026

Palstave axes were designed with a side loop to be securely attached to a wooden handle. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026

Both axes line up with digital forensic work. —Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026

Cavemen had clubs, Vikings had axes, but what can the modern man-about-town brandish to continue this martial tradition, while steering clear of city ordinances and the disapproval of his peers? —Air Mail, 9 May 2026

In a high valley, a troop of men hastened in his direction, carrying axes and long knives. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

The 45,000-square-foot, multilevel attraction will featuring 60 physical and mental games that involve feats such as solving puzzles and dodging swing axes. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026

The fur trade brought smallpox to the Pacific Northwest—including a particularly devastating outbreak in 1862—but also metal axes, chisels, and adzes, which displaced carving tools made of stone. —Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026

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