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axing

verb

present participle of ax
as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 axing Documents produced by two DHS whistleblowers in February showed that ICE had significantly scaled up its hiring while axing several screening and training protocols for officers. — Connor Greene, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 In his July memo, Blume said the company is considering axing a further 50,000 roles globally and closing four factories in Germany. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 For the first time since temporarily axing the base model WRX for 2025, Subaru regained traction with its sport compact, with sales jumping 50% from a year ago. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 4 June 2026 More than a dozen are rumored to be on his shortlist for axing, after several more were voluntarily killed or amended to avoid the gallows. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 15 May 2026 Brendan McDermid | Reuters Amazon is axing its Rufus chatbot and making its Alexa assistant the centerpiece of its artificial intelligence shopping strategy. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 13 May 2026 Amazon has been laying off staff en masse this year, axing over 16,000 employees in 2026 so far. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 2 May 2026 The city is also contemplating axing more than 94 vacant jobs. — Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 The biggest headline in Europe this week was German airline Lufthansa axing 20,000 flights through October. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for axing
  1. sacking
  2. removing
  3. dismissing
  4. firing
  5. retiring
  6. releasing
Verb
  • A week after holding Denver to 176 yards of total offense and sacking quarterback Bo Nix four times in a 31-10 victory, the Chiefs generated meager pressure on Colts’ quarterback Daniel Jones (22 of 31 for 210 yards) and managed zero sacks.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The Raiders dominated the line of scrimmage, sacking Malik Willis five times and holding De'Von Achane — who rushed for 1,350 yards in 2025 — to 36 yards on 11 carries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of sacking
Verb
  • However, the debate in Europe is not about completely removing the EU AI Act.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In recent weeks, SOUTHCOM has also released several videos showing military personnel intercepting and boarding vessels allegedly involved in narco-trafficking before removing their crews and sinking the boats.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of removing
Verb
  • Without billions in funding and a stadium site, the rest is flowery prose, but there is no sense in dismissing any potential bidder a year or two before the bidding opens.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • While speaking with Entertainment Weekly in September 2026, Mirren praised working with Brosnan and Hardy, dismissing rumors of tension on set with the latter.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismissing
Verb
  • Another man intervened, and the two men began fighting, pulled out handguns and began firing, according to information from police.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Woo said Spencer started the original fire Sunday after firing at deputies and a sheriff’s helicopter and disappearing into the forest.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of firing
Verb
  • Versatile forward Nicolas Batum is retiring following an 18-year NBA career and a long stint with the French national team.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Despite a rainy forecast and the postponement of a ceremony honoring retiring Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, the game began on time and wasn't interrupted.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of retiring
Verb
  • That hasn’t stopped Republicans from blasting Cooper over releasing 3,500 inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a civil rights lawsuit settlement.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The panelists also said the weekly release of TV episodes, bucking Netflix’s general convention of releasing full seasons in a binge-drop, was something that resonated with viewers.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of releasing

Browse Nearby Words

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axing
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Cite this Entry

“Axing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axing. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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