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Definition of killnext
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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
There have been at least 31 unintentional shootings in Florida so far in 2026, killing six people, according to data compiled by the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026 To avoid a repeat of that time Jay accidentally killed Pete, Sam calls in a favor from Kyle (Ben Feldman), who joins the trip. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Noun
Kelly and Drury are staples on the league’s best penalty kill. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026 But after Colorado scored three times on seven power-play opportunities while taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series with the Wild, Minnesota coach John Hynes and his assistants offered a notable amount of on-ice, penalty-kill instruction and advice on Friday. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The court recommended that the petition be dismissed, and that the organizations be given one month to submit the employee lists.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • Even the foundations of today’s artificial intelligence boom were laid by the NSF in the 1980s and 1990s, when neural networks were a backwater dismissed by mainstream computer science.
    Gautam Mukunda, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Flock Safety data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • When a consumer requests removal, companies can delete raw data.
    Chai Outmezguine, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • David Letterman and Stephen Colbert stood on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, wearing suits and clutching watermelons to their chests.
    Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Bella wore a gold dress from Michael Kors's spring 2023 ready-to-wear collection.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Within the hobby, what has really fascinated me is the arms race on social media between all the various strap companies, all desperately racing to be first to market with conversion kits to turn these AP Swatches into wearable wristwatches.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
  • She is fascinated by the interrelation of sound and fragrance when co-diffused — or broadcast — through space.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
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, 18 May 2026
  • Chana’s research team discovered a molecular glue, CLEO4-88, that can deactivate proteins rather than destroy them.
    Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • With Edgewater in the flood zone and Station 42 and Three Rock in disaster response mode, Bode (Max Thieriot) was on a side quest to make amends with Danny Marks (Mike O'Malley), a victim of Bode's criminal past.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
  • Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third later died at the University of New Mexico Hospital.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Wipe the human race off the face of the earth.
    Caroline Rose Giuliani, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
  • Using presidential election results to analyze House races is far from a perfect forecast for the 2026 midterms.
    Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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