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
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
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 Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces carried out drone strikes on logistics centers, port infrastructure and three cargo ships in the port of Reni in the Odesa region.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Paired with on-site energy storage, SSTs could turn data centers from blunt-force loads into more flexible participants in the grid.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
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
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
  • 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
Noun
  • That means building stronger connections between the region’s fashion capitals, but also finding ways for designers to reach more international buyers, press and customers.
    — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Moscow has also noted the prospect of French or British nuclear guarantees extending to European states and nonnuclear European capitals considering the development of nuclear options of their own.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
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
Verb
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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