1
as in destroys
to deprive of life
during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismisses
to reject by or as if by a vote
the Senate killed the bill by a single vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deletes
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike up the mountain just about killed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in fascinates
to attract or delight as if by magic
with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in deactivates
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kills
Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
These products are generally pasteurized, which kills some of the beneficial probiotics.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Solarization kills grass and weeds by utilizing the heat of the sun to bake the soil to a high temperature.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
And God does and kills everybody and destroys everything.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
They're also usually eaten without cooking, a process that kills said bacteria.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
The titular azelaic acid decongests pores, kills bacteria, soothes inflammation, sloughs off dead cells, and smooths uneven texture.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
The law also tripled sentences when a dealer gives someone a drug that kills them.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 9 Feb. 2026
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026
Cos-Okpalla clinched three of the last five points for Texas A&M with two kills and an assisted block, including a final kill over the middle for match point.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Pugh then scored on back-to-back kills later in the set, scored on a block and scored on a kill for the final point of the set.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Harris had two kills during a 5-1 run that closed out the first game and a kill, block and ace during a comeback in the second game.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
This blockage eventually kills the plant.
—Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
These products are generally pasteurized, which kills some of the beneficial probiotics.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Solarization kills grass and weeds by utilizing the heat of the sun to bake the soil to a high temperature.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
And God does and kills everybody and destroys everything.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
They're also usually eaten without cooking, a process that kills said bacteria.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
The titular azelaic acid decongests pores, kills bacteria, soothes inflammation, sloughs off dead cells, and smooths uneven texture.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
The law also tripled sentences when a dealer gives someone a drug that kills them.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Texas picked it up in the second half and finished with 37 deflections and four kills — a kill represents three consecutive defensive stops — to stymie a Bulldogs team that had won four of its last five games on the road.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026
Cos-Okpalla clinched three of the last five points for Texas A&M with two kills and an assisted block, including a final kill over the middle for match point.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Pugh then scored on back-to-back kills later in the set, scored on a block and scored on a kill for the final point of the set.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Harris had two kills during a 5-1 run that closed out the first game and a kill, block and ace during a comeback in the second game.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kills
Verb
-
In 2024, a team identified the molecular mechanisms behind the microbe that destroys bananas.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Feb. 2026
-
View gallery - 3 images Watch as a team of drones destroys their target in a demonstration of Fury.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Henry dismisses Yasmin but can’t shake the niggling feeling that his wife isn’t entirely wrong.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Eduardo Bolsonaro dismisses concerns that the current electoral scenario could split the vote and lead to a first-round electoral victory for Lula.—
David Unsworth,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The new method basically deletes climate change from the whole equation, which makes El Niño easier to spot.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The president posts, and 12 hours later, deletes an overtly racist video of Barack and Michelle Obama.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Colin cooks Ray meals, sleeps on the floor while Ray takes the bed, lets Ray shave his hair off, and wears a lock on a chain around his neck.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The straight edge feels almost refreshingly new and when Rihanna wears it, the look naturally gains an extra dose of coolness.—
Lina-Marie Baatz,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 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
-
What fascinates me as a writer is what is sometimes left out of the historical record, what gets tucked away in odd places.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The man looks down almost immediately after the light turns on when the light deactivates.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 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
-
A couple spritzes between washes will revive your curls, providing bounce and definition.—
Claire West,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Classic washes are also back—medium blue, navy blue, and black—which is also perfect for the office.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kills. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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