kill 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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kill

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word kill distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of kill are assassinate, dispatch, execute, murder, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

In what contexts can assassinate take the place of kill?

While in some cases nearly identical to kill, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When would dispatch be a good substitute for kill?

While the synonyms dispatch and kill are close in meaning, dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When is it sensible to use execute instead of kill?

The meanings of execute and kill largely overlap; however, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

Where would murder be a reasonable alternative to kill?

The synonyms murder and kill are sometimes interchangeable, but murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When might slay be a better fit than kill?

In some situations, the words slay and kill are roughly equivalent. However, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

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 kill
Verb
In this region, Neanderthals hunted and processed a vast range of animal resources, including forest elephants — the largest land mammals of the Pleistocene — weighing up to 13 tons and providing the equivalent of over 2,000 adult daily rations in one kill. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2025 Having finagled an invite from Prater’s steely assistant, Charley (Uma Thurman, sporting an asymmetrical bob and a disgusted glower), Dexter infiltrates the group looking for villains to bring to his kill table. EW.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
The projectile struck the victim’s back but didn’t immediately kill them. Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025 It should be noted that Herman’s dreams of middle-class success in an isolated Jewish enclave away from the racially mixed, transnational pressures and pleasures of urban life are also what finally kill him. Literary Hub, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Trump also is destroying the Games’ potential upside.
    Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The felony charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be refiled.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • Doctors dismissed the spider bite and didn’t give her a clear explanation.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The latest example is the Pentagon, which was forced to delete and then repost a video featuring Defense Sec.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 July 2025
  • In a scathing rant on X (which has since been deleted), Musk criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein records.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • John tried physical therapy and wearing a brace, but the spine kept worsening.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • Sharda, the immigration judge assigned to handle juvenile dockets in Phoenix Immigration Courts, looked imposing, seated behind a desk on an elevated platform, wearing a black robe.
    Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The author's own life story has also fascinated film makers: this year, a new BBC drama called Miss Austen imagined Jane Austen's life, alongside her sister Cassandra.
    Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 20 July 2025
  • Disney was fascinated with the technology behind robotic puppets that move and talk in a fluid way.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • TikTok eventually removed the video, and all social media accounts associated with the username have been deactivated, BBC reported.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Democratic members of Congress have objected to the wave of settler violence, arguing that U.S. citizens are falling victim.
    Noah Robertson The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025
  • Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins drew parallels to other high-profile cases, suggesting the victim, Latasha White, deserves the same level of respect and investigation as Crystal Rogers and Breonna Taylor.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • The '60s were dominated by star-gazing and the space race which are fundamental to the film as the quartet of heroes get their powers when they are exposed to a burst of celestial radiation during a space mission.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • An annual race, Pat's Run, is held each spring in Tempe, Arizona, to honor him and raise funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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