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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
At least 41 Danish soldiers were killed there – a very high per capita rate compared to the other nations who joined the force, given that Denmark and its autonomous territories have a population of only 6 million. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026 Marshall suffered a similar fate with the onslaught of miners killing and stealing his livestock. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
That voice-over at the beginning of each episode, where Anna talks about each kill getting easier and easier? Sam Reed, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026 But just 15 seconds into the penalty kill, Mattias Samuelsson took the pressure off with an odd-angle short-handed goal that put the Sabres up 4-2. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mangione's defense team is also trying to get two federal counts against him, including the one that brings the possibility of the death penalty, dismissed.
    Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Buss reportedly was upset with the way James dismissed his part in pursuing Westbrook and blamed others after the move failed, according to ESPN.
    Janis Carr, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, Collins sponsored a bill that was drafted in part by the governor’s office to ban offshore wind turbines in state waters and delete most of the references to climate change in state law.
    Shauna Muckle, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The video’s viral breakout was jarring enough that Nurse John deleted TikTok for six months, before deciding to return and really give posting on social more regularly a go.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Meyer, meanwhile, wore a white graphic tee with black mini shorts and a Thom Browne top coat, W reported.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark jeans and brown steel-toe boots, police said.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • How golfers rely on — and leverage — technology fascinates Skenes, from the numbers culled relative to swing speed and ball flight to how their bodies must be in sync to generate so much club speed.
    Tribune News Service, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
  • People tend to be fascinated by half-and-half beings.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Gilbert also spoke out in support of her husband for the first time on Tuesday after deactivating her social media accounts on Sunday.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Gilbert has since deactivated her Instagram account.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Court documents in the federal prosecution of the employee, Jacob Melvin Hart, indicate there could be more juvenile victims from Crossline Community Church.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
  • All three victims were shot and killed outside the Sky Market on 85th Avenue and International Boulevard, allegedly after the brothers attempted to purchase marijuana from another person who was at the store, authorities said.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Shapiro, meanwhile, keeps a busy public schedule, and has gone out of his way to appear at high-profile, non-political events like football games, a NASCAR race and onstage at a Roots concert in Philadelphia.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Letting that loss linger and turn into back-to-back losses would have been a bad sign about Buffalo’s ability to handle the rigors of what is going to be a white-knuckle playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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