kill off

verb

killed off; killing off; kills off
Synonyms of kill offnext

transitive verb

: to destroy in large numbers or totally

Examples of kill off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 1986 film famously devastated fans by killing off Optimus Prime, though the character later returned. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Because that someone is none other than Emily Kinney, whose character Beth was killed off back in season 5 of The Walking Dead, when she was shot in the 2014 midseason finale. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 Over in Marvel’s territory, the X-Men had their whole chronology readjusted when a time-traveling mutant killed off Professor Charles Xavier, allowing Apocalypse to run rampant. — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026 Cameoing in the film as an alternate to Captain America, Carter — an MCU fixture since 2011 — was apparently killed off by Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) with her own shield. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill off

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kill off was in 1607

Rhymes for kill off

See All Rhymes for kill off

Browse Nearby Words

kill-kid
kill off
killogie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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