KILLS Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

kills 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of kill

as in destroys

to deprive of life during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dismisses

to reject by or as if by a vote the Senate killed the bill by a single vote

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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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stets

as in wears

to use up all the physical energy of the long hike up the mountain just about killed us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fascinates

to attract or delight as if by magic with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies

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as in deactivates

to cause to stop functioning kill the engine before it overheats

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

kills

2 of 2

noun

plural of kill

as in victims

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Dissimilar Words

as in washes

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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 kills

Verb

For any Iranian woman who captures or kills an American service member, Hatami said the reward would be doubled. — August 17, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 This movie is based around the multiverse, which is a concept of Doomsday, of course, but this could confirm some rumors that Doom kills Tobey Maguire’s Spidey in the Raimi universe – or that Tom Holland is showing up in some capacity. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Science kills superstition but seems to take the soul with it. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Cervantes never brought up the bill during Thursday’s hearing, which effectively kills it. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Deadly disease outbreak kills 2,000 — what Americans should know. — FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 If choosing a model that kills insects, consider the extermination method. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Using high heat — over 200 F to 300 F, or 93 C to 149 C — and less than 5% water, dry steam kills germs, dust mites and mold without harsh chemicals. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Agent Orange is a powerful chemical that kills weeds and acts as a defoliant, which the military used during the war in Vietnam to clear dense jungle and destroy food crops. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Aug. 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

T cells, a type of immune cell that detects and destroys infected or abnormal cells, normally perform this inspection.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroys

Verb

Democratic lawmakers demand investigations and an oversight visit, alleging dangerous conditions and poor treatment aboard the Lincoln, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismisses the reports as exaggerated and misrepresented.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Rhaenyra also dismisses Mysaria, a wise move carried out in a very unwise manner, given the woman’s cunning.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismisses

Verb

The robot could make AI lessons more engaging, but families still need clear answers about what Optio remembers, who can access that data and when the district deletes it.

— Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
This immediately and irreversibly deletes all data and eSIMs stored on the device.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026

Definition of deletes

Verb

Granted, save for one image on a TV screen, no one wears a Green Lantern mask or outfit in the Lanterns pilot, but the wheels of its story have been in motion for decades by the time its premise unfolds.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Sadie Sink plays Jean Grey as a Gen Zer malcontent who wears a hoodie and whose affect suggests a steady diet of Sylvia Plath.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of wears

Verb

Yet, what fascinates is that Aristotle’s God isn’t a typical divine being who summons and shepherds.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of fascinates

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

Definition of deactivates

Noun

The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel previously alleged that there were 44 victims throughout 2025.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
There is also worry that the government’s push will upset the legacy of former Emperor Akihito, including making amends for the victims of World War II, which was fought in his father’s name.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of victims

Noun

The highly pigmented semi gloss deposits color—13 shades—that lasts up to eight washes, leaving behind lustrous hair.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Shoppers say the fabric has just the right amount of stretch, holds its shape, doesn’t show bra lines, and washes easily without shrinking or pilling.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of washes

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“Kills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kills. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of kills

verb

noun

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