as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment
the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets
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Recent Examples of axing
Dodge, still suffering the consequences of axing the popular previous generations of Charger and Challenger muscle cars, saw sales stumble down 28% compared with the previous year.
—
Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Year 2 of ShoddyBall should be better than Year 1, but the 2025 team revealed so many weaknesses, needs and holes that axing a defensive coordinator is only going to get you so far.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026
Since then, his administration has proposed axing regulations on coal and gas power plants.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 28 Dec. 2025
Mekies took over after Christian Horner’s surprise axing following this year’s British GP and quickly earned the respect of not just critical pieces of the Red Bull squad (aka Verstappen’s camp), but also many outside F1 observers.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Intel’s big new Ohio chip fab is delayed until at least 2030, and Tan has made major cost cuts by slashing 15% of the workforce in July and axing projects in Germany and Poland.
—Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
There was also a coaching confrontation, as Woodward reportedly wanted to make changes to Kelly’s staff, which included axing offensive coordinator Joe Sloan.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The Times’ reporting did not include any information about axing jobs for active Amazon workers.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
And that's because the rot appears to be spreading up the age range to the point that British first-time parents are now more likely to support axing the crown than ever before.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Year 2 of ShoddyBall should be better than Year 1, but the 2025 team revealed so many weaknesses, needs and holes that axing a defensive coordinator is only going to get you so far.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026
Since then, his administration has proposed axing regulations on coal and gas power plants.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 28 Dec. 2025
Mekies took over after Christian Horner’s surprise axing following this year’s British GP and quickly earned the respect of not just critical pieces of the Red Bull squad (aka Verstappen’s camp), but also many outside F1 observers.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Intel’s big new Ohio chip fab is delayed until at least 2030, and Tan has made major cost cuts by slashing 15% of the workforce in July and axing projects in Germany and Poland.
—Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025
There was also a coaching confrontation, as Woodward reportedly wanted to make changes to Kelly’s staff, which included axing offensive coordinator Joe Sloan.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The Times’ reporting did not include any information about axing jobs for active Amazon workers.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
And that's because the rot appears to be spreading up the age range to the point that British first-time parents are now more likely to support axing the crown than ever before.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for axing
Verb
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The Texans stifled the Steelers rushing attack and harassed Aaron Rodgers so extensively — sacking him four times, hitting him 12 times — that the future Hall of Fame quarterback scarcely had time to wait for plays to develop and repeatedly dumped the ball off for short gains.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Williams proved worthy of his four-year, $104 million contract Sunday, sacking Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert twice, including taking down the two-time Pro Bowler on fourth down with under two minutes left to seal the game.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Borax and Water Similar to hydrogen peroxide, Borax is effective against mold and mildew and is excellent at removing soap scum.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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The manufacturer recommends unplugging your rice cooker, removing the rice pot and wiping down all of the components with a damp rag and a mixture of vinegar and water.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Confidence can tip into defensiveness, so your challenge has a lot to do with asserting boundaries without emotional withdrawal and honoring your needs without dismissing others.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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The president spoke little about democracy in Venezuela, dismissing a potential role for its longstanding democratic opposition in running the country in the immediate aftermath of the operation.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In video footage released about a month after the shooting, the police department said officers first encountered Cortez after responding to a 911 caller who stated a man was firing a gun and pointing the weapon at people.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Security forces confronted protesters in several cities and towns, firing tear gas.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The reigning world champion returned to competitive skating last season with a bang after retiring following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.—
Lillian Karabaic,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
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The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Early evidence suggests these cells may go off course, making fat instead of bone and releasing chemical signals that interfere with the regrowth of blood vessels, which are essential for healing.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Mobilizing stored iron by releasing it from the liver and spleen into the bloodstream and bone marrow.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Axing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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