kill 1 of 2

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as in to dismiss
to reject by or as if by a vote the Senate killed the bill by a single vote

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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kill

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word kill distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of kill are assassinate, dispatch, execute, murder, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

In what contexts can assassinate take the place of kill?

While in some cases nearly identical to kill, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When would dispatch be a good substitute for kill?

While the synonyms dispatch and kill are close in meaning, dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When is it sensible to use execute instead of kill?

The meanings of execute and kill largely overlap; however, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

Where would murder be a reasonable alternative to kill?

The synonyms murder and kill are sometimes interchangeable, but murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When might slay be a better fit than kill?

In some situations, the words slay and kill are roughly equivalent. However, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

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 kill
Verb
Police are investigating a crash that killed a woman Sunday morning outside the Kansas City, Kansas Community College. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025 Authorities have said most of the 21 monkeys were killed. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
The penalty kill has been one of the B’s strong suits this season but even that was not working on Monday. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025 But the Lancers closed out the set and the match on a kill from Underwood and a hitting error by Marina. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Teddy is a conspiracy theorist who believes Michelle is an alien hellbent on destroying Earth.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Since attacks like SessionReaper can expose your personal data to criminal marketplaces, consider using a reputable data removal service that continuously scans and deletes your private information, such as your address, phone number and email, from data broker sites.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The original photo has been deleted, but has since been reshared on other social media accounts.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jenner also shared a mirror selfie, covering her chest with one arm and wearing a towel low on her waist.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Upon arrival at Star Flat, travelers disembark the train wearing red light necklaces (to ensure no one gets lost), which provide light without compromising night vision.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Britney Spears has seemingly deactivated her Instagram account.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Some analysts argue that while Christians have been targeted by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups seeking to impose their extreme interpretation of Islamic law, Muslims, including those considered moderate, have also been victims of those groups.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • According to the investigators' notes, the victims left a sliding door open on the night of the attack for Goncalves' dog, who was found unharmed in her bed.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The new congressional maps proposed by the state’s Democrats, which Proposition 50 will implement, are intended to net the party five additional seats in the House—but their actual impact will still depend on races in those districts.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The tight race has surprised some in the traditionally blue state, which has had a Democratic governor for the past eight years and a legislature controlled by Democrats for even longer.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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