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
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
Anna Meadows, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Most magnetic microrobots operate with five degrees of freedom, allowing movement along three axes and rotation in two directions.
—New Atlas, 8 June 2026
There are barbarians with battle axes and swords, robots with laser guns, spaceships, a warlock with a skull for a face.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
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
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
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
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
In each of these domains, the system is judged on two axes.
—Anna Meadows, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Most magnetic microrobots operate with five degrees of freedom, allowing movement along three axes and rotation in two directions.
—New Atlas, 8 June 2026
There are barbarians with battle axes and swords, robots with laser guns, spaceships, a warlock with a skull for a face.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
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
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
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
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
Noun
-
Following the hiring of executive producer Nick Bilton May 28, the stalwart newsmagazine has seen a wave of dismissals — among them, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as well as executive editor Draggan Mihailovich.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
Ivan Juric failed, even as a Gasperini disciple, to provide continuity and struggled for credibility after his dismissals from Roma and Southampton last season.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Where to donate blood or platelets Here are the permanent American Red Cross blood and platelet donation centers in the Sacramento area, but the organization also hosts blood drives throughout the region.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
General Atomics already operates the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, one of the leading magnetic-fusion research centers in the United States.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
To succeed, Democrats must now demonstrate that, despite the costs, America’s security at home depends on its influence abroad; shaping foreign policy around traditional values benefits Americans; and respecting alliances is a source of strength.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
In practice, these transfers can help members build alliances, strengthen their party standing and direct resources to competitive races.—
Mayank Kejriwal,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
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
Noun
-
The trio also acknowledged how demoralizing and disheartening the recent spate of firings, and the lack of explanation for them, has been.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Mass firings, communication freezes, political interference in the CDC’s scientific mission and a revolving door of leaders have created a challenging work environment for the CDC’s employees.—
Candice Johnson,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Also, back then, the shows were spread across four fashion capitals—plus Pitti in Florence.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
13 June 2026
-
On Saturday, anti-LGBTQ+ rallies were held in both capitals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
During last year’s budget negotiations, public sector unions signed new agreements with the state that resulted in moderate pay increases in exchange for suspending retirement contributions and instituting a leave program for state employees.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
The measure is designed to prevent landlords from punishing tenants who exercise their legal rights, including filing complaints, joining tenant unions, withholding rent for serious issues, or speaking publicly about unsafe housing.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Tshabalala’s thunderous strike sends the ball rocketing into the top right corner of Óscar Pérez’s net and fires the tournament hosts ahead, as the blaring drone of vuvuzelas is – somehow – drowned out by a roar heard across the country.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
The acceleration fires the propellant into space as a spray (hence the name).—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
