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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
The war launched by Putin nearly four years ago has forced millions of Ukrainians from their homes and killed around 15,000 civilians, according to the United Nations. Holly Williams, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026 His voice cracked only once when the conversation turned to the girls killed at the yogurt shop – Amy, Eliza, Sarah and Jennifer – and their families. Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
Mike elects to go out on his own, and thus Money dispatches the mangy-looking kill machine Orman (Barry Keoghan; bleach-blond hair plus exposed roots = sociopath) to intercept Mike’s next job and take him down. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2026 Per the consent order, Humpal is set to pay the more than $33,000 for fish kill and investigative costs, plus a $5,000 administrative fee by September 2027. Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • Shipwreck hunters have been searching the lakes with more urgency in recent years out of concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying wrecks.
    Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • However, archaeologists faced a significant challenge—how to penetrate its secrets without destroying it in the process?
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Marty Singer, attorney for the spouses at the time, dismissed the controversy.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Yesterday, Judge Aran Subramanian dismissed some portions of the suit but allowed other claims to proceed in the DOJ’s efforts to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The post was deleted after other commenters were more pointed in their opprobrium.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Therefore, the logical next step would be to also delete that letter from his own last name.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • With only 12 weeks to pull together a wardrobe for the cast, and few of Jones’s old clothing in the archives, Rowe recreated some historical looks— such as the infamous red penguin-print pajama set (a version of the pajama top is worn by Jones on a school run in the new film).
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The Cowboy Carter artist shared yet another set of images on Instagram from the 2026 Super Bowl, this time wearing a long brown coat with a matching hat and blue jeans.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Systematic excavations at Pompeii began in the mid-1700s, and the site has fascinated historians and visitors ever since.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Then, there are the pesky vampirologists Theobastus Bombastus (André Jung) and Nepomuk Afterbite (Marco Lorenzini), who’ve arrived at this hotel for a vampire conference and are fascinated by Erzsébet’s legend, and my god, her gowns, too.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 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, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Northstar’s media contact number has been deactivated and an email to the resort was not immediately returned.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Spohr died after being shot once in the head during the burglary at the couple’s Homewood residence on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the victims’ family has said.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
  • If pulled out within 15 minutes, the Utah Avalanche Center says, 93% of avalanche victims live.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Needing to prep for her race, Humphries spent her first night away from Aulden this week.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is challenging Bass in the upcoming mayor’s race, is among those calling for Wasserman to step away.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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