kill off

verb

killed off; killing off; kills off

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.
Or imagine, if after killing off Ned Stark, the only remaining major season one character was Arya, and there was no Tyrion, Jon Snow, Sansa, Dany, Cersei, Jaime and others. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025 But European settlers and trappers killed off most of the big cats living in the eastern two-thirds of the continent. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025 Scott Caan led the series alongside Dania Ramirez, whose character was killed off at the end of season 2. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 June 2025 The Panthers’ penalty kill had been great all game, going 3 for 3 in regulation, including killing off 1:36 of a four-on-three Edmonton advantage in the first period. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on kill off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!