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

2 of 2

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
If Ukraine can widen these kill zones—by surveilling more territory and striking behind Russia’s current forward lines—and deny Russia the ability to mass men and materiel in its rear, Russian formations will be unable to generate any momentum. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025 Jones was also integral on special teams, running Florida’s top power-play unit and getting significant time on the penalty kill. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Brazil’s Health Ministry is warning people to avoid cocktails after tainted liquor killed at least one person, blinded others and fueled a nationwide panic. Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Dozens of doctors without borders had been killed. Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Police in Florida are searching for two men caught on camera destroying a mall store while stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise.
    Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Seven of those charged previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and prosecutors moved to dismiss their felony counts.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Olguin dismissed the case in 2022 after finding Elden’s claims were time-barred without addressing the substance of his allegations.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There is no mechanism for recovering data once it has been deleted, Flock Safety states on its website.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Some companies have strategically deployed offensive tactics and obtained immediate results including short-sellers deleting a report and/or issuing a retraction.
    Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The evidence that Song was the shooter comes from a green mask the assailant wore from which samples that tested positive for Song’s DNA were taken and from interviews with cooperating sources, FBI Special Agent Clark Wiethorn testified at the hearing.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In a recent campaign ad, Van Epps wears an Army uniform throughout the entire ad with patches and insignia removed.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Known for roles in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian, Giancarlo admits that antagonists have always fascinated him because of their complexity.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Dan Marino quotes lining the walls of Hard Rock Stadium fascinated the AD.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • License activation can also cause headaches if the software is tied to the old machine, so always deactivate before reinstalling.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • 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, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bystanders in the area helped authorities lift part of the helicopter and get the victim out, who was then loaded into an ambulance, according to Sylvia.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The first arriving engine found one of the victims had been trapped under the helicopter, Sylvia said.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The app can help connect patients with volunteers who have the same cancer experience and similar background including diagnosis, location, race and ethnicity.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Previous polls had shown Spanberger ahead by wider margins, signaling a tightening race over the past month.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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