axes 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of axesnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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2
as in alliances
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection an axis of previously nonaligned nations

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 axes
Noun
The Europol report, meanwhile, revealed that these heists are increasingly using tools such as sledgehammers, axes, crowbars –– and even explosives. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Hang up tools, accessories like helmets and body armor, climbing rope and axes, or whatever makes sense for your adventure. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 For one, note the differing scales on the Y-axes – this is mostly about the shape of a year rather than magnitude of moves. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 AbdulSalam Mohammed, president of the Abaad Studies & Research Center and an adviser to Yemen’s Information Ministry, told the Washington Examiner that government forces are currently focused on defending against the Houthis along three main axes. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 Airlines are generally required to carry crash axes in the cockpit that could be used in an emergency to break open a window to escape or break open a panel to access a fire. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Details on attack Airlines are generally required to carry crash axes in the cockpit that could be used in an emergency to break open a window to escape or break open a panel to access a fire. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Although most planets spin with their rotational axes generally upright with respect to their orbital plane, Uranus exhibits an extreme axial tilt, causing its spin to resemble something more akin to a steady roll. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Eventually, the girls strike a plan to kill Lizzie’s parents using one of her father’s axes and Lizzie manages to get away with the crime. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
In a shocker, Microsoft is tapping Call of Duty publisher Activision to build the next Halo game as Redmond axes more jobs at its first-party studios. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … BADGE DRAIN — Seattle axes $50K police bonuses while sitting hundreds of officers short. — FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 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
  1. dismissals
  2. centers
  3. alliances
  4. sacks
  5. firings
  6. capitals
  7. unions
  8. fires
Noun
  • The dismissals at the USPSTF follow a Supreme Court decision in 2025 stating that the secretary of HHS can remove members at will.
    — C. Joseph Ross Daval, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026
  • All five students sought to appeal their dismissals but say that the university blocked access to their education records, which the students allege is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissals
Noun
  • Much of Modi’s comedy centers on differences between various kinds of Jews, a friction that elicits knowing laughters from his (largely, but not wholly) Jewish audience.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In 2012, as part of a nationwide cost-cutting move, the Postal Service closed the mail processing centers in Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines and shifted the work sorting Broward’s mail to the Opa-locka center in Miami-Dade County.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • Most of Iran’s regional neighbors field militaries armed by the US but have slowly begun diversifying their arsenals and formalizing new military alliances amid concerns over Washington’s commitment to defending its allies.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This bipartisanship on attitudes about AI and data centers appears also to show up in alliances on the ground and, in some cases, in new organizations with a focus on thwarting data centers.
    — Barbara A. Trish, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of alliances
Verb
  • Ja’Quan McMillian sacks Patrick Mahomes in the Broncos’ win over the Chiefs in November.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Cale Britt sacks the quarterback and Bishop Moore will take over on downs at their own 42.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sacks
Noun
  • The Netflix layoffs included other high-profile firings, like head of film Dan Lin, though his exit had been rumored for some time.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Thursday's lawsuit cites public comments made by top Justice Department officials and the president directed toward the plaintiffs as evidence the firings were motivated by political animus.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of firings
Noun
  • Unlike many other capitals, where residential areas are usually found outside of the city’s main sights, here, those neighborhoods are built in and around all the sight-seeing big-hitters.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Although Flávio retained his lead in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Lula won their capitals, Brazil’s two largest cities and reversed the first-round result in the city of Rio.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • Trade unions criticized the bans, calling them violations of freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Trade unions have criticized the bans, calling them violations of freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution.
    — Richard Engel, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of unions
Verb
  • The Oxford team used ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy, which basically fires laser pulses lasting mere fractions of a second.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Jason fires a 3-D harpoon into the eye of Vera Sanchez (Catherine Parks), and later crushes the skull of Rick Bombay (Paul Kratka), causing his eyes to pop out.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of fires

Browse Nearby Words

axed
axes
axing
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Cite this Entry

“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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