ax 1 of 2

noun

ˈaks How to pronounce ax (audio)
variants or axe
Definition of axnext
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

ax

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
As an Asgardian warrior, Thor needs his weapons, so his figure also includes his magical hammer Mjolnir and his mystic ax, Stormbreaker. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 Images from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat show several polished stone ax heads and ceremonial objects traditionally associated with Papuan societies. — ABC News, 23 July 2026
Verb
But it was ultimately axed by Murdoch fearing executives higher up. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026 But in late 2024, a Romanian judge ruled that prosecutorial mishaps had axed the upcoming trial. — Kat Tenbarge, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
  1. dismissal
  2. sack
  3. firing
  4. fire
  5. furlough
  6. remove
  7. dismiss
  8. retire
Noun
  • That Penn State failed to use the long runway given with Franklin’s October dismissal didn’t help things.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Iraola’s dismissal came as a surprise to a number of his players, although Catala, who later managed Larnaca, explains that there is a volatility to decision-making in Cyprus if form deteriorates.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • After the third consecutive three-and-out ended with Young getting sacked, former Panther QB Jake Delhomme spoke for a lot of fans on the TV broadcast.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Cofnas was sacked by Cambridge in the wake of controversy caused by his comments.
    — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sack
Noun
  • The exposé alleged that Gomez was trying to distance herself from the company and outlined the messy firing of chief executive Daniella Pierson.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • More than 10 individual firings, between 900-910°C, were needed to create the clock.
    — Ming Liu, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of firing
Verb
  • The Islamic Republic proceeded to fire missiles and drones on neighboring countries hosting US bases.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The return also shows DePaul paid a $863,500 buyout last fiscal cycle to former head men’s basketball Tony Stubblefield, who was fired in early 2024 after less than three seasons on the job.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • The district plan also contains elements that have to be negotiated with employees, such as unpaid furlough days.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Without those funds, the consequences are midyear layoffs, furlough days, and cuts.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of furlough
Verb
  • When the researchers removed the neurons, the heart stopped functioning completely.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The measure effectively cut off government funding for shrines and removed Shinto practices and teachings from public institutions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of remove
Verb
  • But by the time of his indictment, Lorch was in failing health and found incompetent to stand trial, and lawsuits against him and the church were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues.
    — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit was dismissed Monday without prejudice, meaning the case may be filed again.
    — Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • After retiring from working in 2019, Norris enjoyed growing and arranging flowers from her yard.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As of Friday afternoon, Bobby Valli had edited the post to leave out the claim that his brother would retire.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

aw-shucks
ax
axed
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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ax

Nglish: Translation of ax for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ax

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