Synonyms of slay

slay

verb

ˈslā 

1

as in to kill

to deprive of life

millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kill
• destroy
• take
• dispatch
• fell
• slaughter
• claim
• murder
• carry off
• croak
• assassinate
• do for
• do away with
• neutralize
• annihilate
• do in
• smite
• cut down
• execute
• decimate
• massacre
• butcher
• make away with
• finish
• mow
• waste
• snuff
• kill off
• off
• whack
• put away
• get
• take out
• blot out
• terminate
• ice
• bump off
• scrag
• rub out
• knock off
• suicide
• put down
• martyr
• euthanize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• restore
• revive
• animate
• resurrect
• nurture
• resuscitate

2

as in to assassinate

to put to death deliberately

vowed to slay without mercy whoever was responsible for murdering his family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assassinate
• murder
• execute
• kill
• neutralize
• get
• destroy
• dispatch
• slaughter
• liquidate
• terminate
• off
• snuff
• whack
• shoot
• put away
• take out
• ice
• croak
• do away with
• rub out
• bump off
• knock off
• do in
• smite
• cut down
• blow away
• eradicate
• eliminate
• fell
• shoot down
• claim
• massacre
• annihilate
• exterminate
• butcher
• carry off
• blot out
• mow (down)
• zap
• wipe out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• restore
• revive
• resurrect
• animate
• resuscitate

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slay are assassinate, dispatch, execute, kill, and murder. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

Where would assassinate be a reasonable alternative to slay?

The words assassinate and slay can be used in similar contexts, but assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

In what contexts can dispatch take the place of slay?

Although the words dispatch and slay have much in common, dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When can execute be used instead of slay?

The words execute and slay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

When might kill be a better fit than slay?

The synonyms kill and slay are sometimes interchangeable, but kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident

frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use murder instead of slay?

While in some cases nearly identical to slay, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slay

The left hasn't yet matched the reach of conservative influencers who seized on social issues last year, such as Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson and slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

But the 36-yard attempt by Finbar Bresnehan sailed wide right, and the Chieftains finally slayed a seemingly insurmountable opponent. —Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025

Devotion had found her limits, been slain by her limits. —Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The Stommes’ two older children were unharmed physically in the shooting spree, while Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski were slain. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025