Thesaurus

dispatch

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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of dispatch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 to cause to go or be taken from one place to another

dispatched a messenger with urgent news

Synonyms for dispatch

Words Related to dispatch

address,
forward

export,
import

resend,
return

Near Antonyms for dispatch

Antonyms for dispatch

accept,
receive

2 to deprive of life

the exterminator dispatched the termites with professional efficiency

Synonyms for dispatch

carry off,
claim,
croak
[slang],
destroy,
do in,
fell,
kill,
slay,
take

Words Related to dispatch

bump off,
butcher,
cut down,
finish,
get,
ice
[slang],
knock off,
murder,
neutralize,
off
[slang],
put away,
rub out,
scrag,
snuff,
take out,
waste,
whack
[slang]

suicide

Phrases Synonymous with dispatch

do away with,
do for
[chiefly British],
make away with

Near Antonyms for dispatch

nurture

Antonyms for dispatch

animate

3 to put to death deliberately

during his reign of terror the dictator dispatched thousands without the slightest qualm

Synonyms for dispatch

assassinate,
bump off,
croak
[slang],
do in,
execute,
get,
ice
[slang],
knock off,
liquidate,
murder,
neutralize,
off
[slang],
put away,
rub out,
slay,
snuff,
take out,
terminate,
whack
[slang]

Words Related to dispatch

Phrases Synonymous with dispatch

do away with

Near Antonyms for dispatch

4 to achieve a victory over

they dispatched the other team without breaking a sweat

Synonyms for dispatch

Words Related to dispatch

sweep

edge (out),
nose out,
pip
[British]

Phrases Synonymous with dispatch

Near Antonyms for dispatch

Antonyms for dispatch

lose (to)

dispatch

noun

Synonyms of dispatch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 a message on paper from one person or group to another

a soldier sending daily dispatches to friends and family back home

Synonyms for dispatch

Words Related to dispatch

encyclical

2 a piece of conveyed information

a dispatch from headquarters regarding a change in battle plans

Synonyms for dispatch

Words Related to dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions About dispatch

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

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