ax 1 of 2

variants or axe
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

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
His choice of weapon was unusual— not a knife or even an axe or a bat but his mouth. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 Jane, who may have been as young as 16, is shown blindfolded as an executioner with an axe waits to behead her. Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
Instead of redoubling decarbonization efforts, the U.S. and the European Union are rolling back climate laws, Canada is axing the consumer carbon tax, China and India are continuing to build coal plants, and corporations are exiting net zero climate commitments. Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The Department of Veterans Affairs axed gender affirming care for transgender veterans, the latest in the Trump administration's push to eradicate trans-inclusive policies from the federal government. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ax
Noun
  • The dismissal of Malone could prove to be a turning point for the Nuggets—either sparking a resurgence or further unraveling their season.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Those challenging the dismissals argued that OPM didn't have the authority to order firings.
    Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Also sacked Thursday was Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, who led both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, and his deputy, Wendy Noble, who has reportedly been reassigned within the Pentagon.
    Colin Meyn, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He was sacked a whopping 68 times, with the next highest being C.J. Stroud with 52.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday, the administration ramped up its pressure on employees to leave, sending a reminder that layoffs or furloughs could come next.
    CHRIS MEGERIAN, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
  • On Wednesday, Lopez was sentenced to probation, with a six-year prison sentence suspended for five years, and ordered to complete a work furlough program after pleading guilty to DUI causing injury and having a blood-alcohol content of over 0.15%.
    Christian Martinez, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The person calling claimed a friend had fired shots at a Black adult female at 7:05 p.m., and that two suspects were at the location wearing all black.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Continue reading … 'KNIVES OUT' – Former 'Scream' director left film over death threats after anti-Israel actress firing.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Following the act of protest, the referee of the University of Maryland match -- which was not an NCAA tournament -- issued a black card to Turner, removing her from the competition.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Some skin diseases—like skin cancer—are readily diagnosed with a biopsy of the skin (removing a sample tissue for analysis in a lab).
    Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The company filed two motions to dismiss the case, one for lack of jurisdiction and the other on grounds that consumer fraud laws do not govern editorial speech.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration is investigating government lawyers who prosecuted Jan. 6 rioters — and will do the same for prosecutors who refused to dismiss corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams of New York.
    Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuits claim, though the government has not confirmed that number.
    Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuits allege that at least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, but the government has not confirmed that number.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • McFarland previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the disastrous first Fyre Festival and was released from prison in 2022 after serving less than four years.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The successful sophomore effort came two years after the band — which consists of singer and lead guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andrew Hurley — released their debut album, Take This to Your Grave, in May 2003.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ax. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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