Thesaurus results for AX

ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks

variants or axe

Definition of ax

as in dismissal

the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2 of 2

verb

variants or axe

as in to sack

to let go from office, service, or employment the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ax

Noun

There is one delightful sequence where a fire ax, giant fishhook and speargun come into play on a gangway. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 For example, the letter A might be axe-throwing or an art gallery, while B could be bowling or the beach. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

His government was steadfast in the face of multiple protests, quick to curb dissent, and, unlike its predecessors, did not ax ministers in times of crisis. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026 In his July memo, Blume said the company is considering axing a further 50,000 roles globally and closing four factories in Germany. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax

Noun

Cook denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit challenging her dismissal.

— Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Wide receiver Cam Vaughn has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami and the NCAA in an attempt to enter the transfer portal, a little more than one week after the Hurricanes announced his dismissal from the program.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

The Jayhawks trailed by six and got the ball at their 11 with 17 seconds left, but Missouri sealed the 36-28 victory with a safety when Lorenzo Williams sacked Reesing in the end zone.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
Since Straus was sacked in mid-June, however, the team has lost just once in eight matches under interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud, pulling to within one spot and three points of a playoff berth.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sack

Noun

In addition to protecting the warhead, the reentry body incorporates essential non-nuclear control, arming, fuzing, and firing components.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
That combination, just like QIH, suppressed neuronal firing and stripped out a comparable share of synapses, but the mice came out of it with impaired fear memory.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of firing

Verb

Video released by police after the shooting showed two officers charging into the school and killing the shooter, who’d just fatally shot three 9-year-olds and three adults and was firing from a window.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Abreu hit a smash to first baseman Bryce Eldridge, who dove to knock it down, then fired a throw home.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of fire

Noun

Earlier this summer, the district proposed a midyear spending freeze and five furlough days to help close its $732 million budget gap, measures that could be back on the table.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
In fact, furlough transfers where minimum security inmates transfer from prison to prison are routine, allowing inmates the opportunity to catch their own ride to their next destination.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of furlough

Verb

In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

On Wednesday, lawyers for Gomez filed a motion to dismiss the artist from the suit, and said she should have never been dragged into the case in the first place.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
El-Sayed dismissed a potential fundraising gap in the race, which could occur if donors were pushed towards Rogers or if outside groups like AIPAC intervened on Rogers’ behalf.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismiss

Verb

The investigators who haven’t already died are almost all retired, some of them awkwardly testifying via Zoom with technical difficulties from homes far away.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Cierria Davison took a leap of faith to start Over the Top after retiring early from Walmart during the pandemic.

— Leondra Head, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

aw-shucks

axed

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“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ax

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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