DISPATCH Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dispatch' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of dispatch are assassinate , execute , kill , murder , and slay . While all these words mean "to deprive of life," dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death. // dispatched the sentry with one bullet

Q: When might 'assassinate' be a better fit than 'dispatch'?

While the synonyms assassinate and dispatch are close in meaning, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives. // terrorists assassinated the Senator

Q: When could 'execute' be used to replace 'dispatch'?

The synonyms execute and dispatch are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty. // executed by lethal gas

Q: Where would 'kill' be a reasonable alternative to 'dispatch'?

In some situations, the words kill and dispatch are roughly equivalent. However, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner. // killed in an accident // frost killed the plants

Q: When is it sensible to use 'murder' instead of 'dispatch'?

The words murder and dispatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility. // convicted of murdering a rival

Q: When is 'slay' a more appropriate choice than 'dispatch'?

The meanings of slay and dispatch largely overlap; however, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive. // slew thousands of the Philistines

dispatch 1 of 2

verb

Definition of dispatch next

as in to send

to cause to go or be taken from one place to another dispatched a messenger with urgent news

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to kill

to deprive of life the exterminator dispatched the termites with professional efficiency

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as in to assassinate

to put to death deliberately during his reign of terror the dictator dispatched thousands without the slightest qualm

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as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over they dispatched the other team without breaking a sweat

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dispatch

2 of 2

noun

as in letter

a message on paper from one person or group to another a soldier sending daily dispatches to friends and family back home

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as in message

a piece of conveyed information a dispatch from headquarters regarding a change in battle plans

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word dispatch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of dispatch are assassinate, execute, kill, murder, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When might assassinate be a better fit than dispatch?

While the synonyms assassinate and dispatch are close in meaning, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When could execute be used to replace dispatch?

The synonyms execute and dispatch are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

Where would kill be a reasonable alternative to dispatch?

In some situations, the words kill and dispatch are roughly equivalent. However, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident

frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use murder instead of dispatch?

The words murder and dispatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When is slay a more appropriate choice than dispatch?

The meanings of slay and dispatch largely overlap; however, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines