axes 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

axes

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of axis

axes

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of ax

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
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 Two axes and two hatchets were also found during a search of the home. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 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
Noun
  • This came after the company fired three safety and alignment researchers, though OpenAI said the dismissals were not tied to employees voicing safety concerns.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Only 14 cases led to suspensions and seven to expulsions or dismissals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • As of last year, the US had roughly 10 times more AI data centers than China, according to Stanford University research – and vastly more computing power, other estimates show.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The parties then form alliances to create a majority coalition.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Such moves are typical of presidential hopefuls from both parties seeking to bolster their alliances nationwide.
    — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
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
Noun
  • 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
  • The lawsuit seeks, among other remedies, reinstatement to the FBI, an awarding of back pay and a court order declaring that the firings were unlawful.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As the footprint expands across major creative capitals, both founders remain adamantly protective of the core intimacy that defines their mission.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond aesthetics, is there anything to be gleaned from Huang’s large, looping capitals or from Brockman’s wobbly lowercase initials?
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In West Virginia and Alaska, educators’ unions formally backed legislation requiring CPR education, while efforts in Washington and Illinois advanced in memory of students lost to cardiac arrest.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But unions and many Hollywood workers fear AI will take jobs, even as studios explore hybrid productions and secure protections against fully synthetic performers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • After all, what could go wrong sitting atop three million barrels of oil while a hostile country fires missiles and drones at it?
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Andrew Garfield stars as Altman, with Anora‘s Yura Borisov playing Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientific officer and co-founder of OpenAI who fires Altman.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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