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
Overnight Russian drones and missiles targeted multiple Ukraine cities according to officials there, killing at least two people. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025 Drones hit a bread factory in Sumy, killing one person, Zelensky said. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
South Florida continues to experience harmful algal blooms from phosphorus reaching rivers and the coast, resulting in fish kills and the deaths of manatees. John Kominoski, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025 Cypress Creek 2, Orlando University 0 Buzz: Calix had 10 kills, 5 digs and a block for Cypress (10-3) in its 25-15, 25-18 win. Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Fans of the franchise will remember that the Battle of Exegol was the climactic showdown between the Resistance and the First Order, which ended with the Sith being destroyed once and for all.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Heyman dismissed fans on social media who have failed to give Rollins his flowers, saying he’s seen pro wrestlers fail in the ring and seen praise on social media for them while others spout nonsense while ignoring historical facts.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • On March 4, the day the order to show cause was to be heard, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As part of your audit, delete and stop making posts complaining about specific employers or name-shaming.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • First Coast News grabbed the comment before it was deleted.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Famously, stage and film star Sir Sean Connery openly discussed wearing a headpiece in all of his James Bond roles.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Inter won a free kick in the first minute of the second half — and Chivu, who wore a sporadically unclasped rugby scrum cap during the game, blasted it wide from 40 yards out, emphasising their total disinterest in mounting any meaningful attack.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rather than being terrified or trying to kill her, Ravi is fascinated by her unusual condition.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Laura is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, when the model recognizes a name or concept, this safety circuit can deactivate even if the model lacks detailed information about that entity.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Wolves, however, are immune to the prions, deactivating them through digestion.
    Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The family is seeking separate payouts of at least $25,000 from all four companies for each of the three victims, according to the lawsuit, aiming for at least $300,000 in cumulative damages.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
  • My heart aches for those who knew and loved Gabriela, Florinda, and Jeanette, as well as the additional victim, and are now in mourning this Easter weekend.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Monday’s race is primarily between the two of them.
    Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The reality of postseason life in the void of Jimmy Butler, who, despite his Heat shenanigans, finds himself in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race with the Golden State Warriors.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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