kill 1 of 2

verb

ˈkil How to pronounce kill (audio)
Definition of killnext
1
as in to destroy
to deprive of life during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in to delete
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of the long hike up the mountain just about killed us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to deactivate
to cause to stop functioning kill the engine before it overheats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

kill

2 of 2

noun

1
as in victim

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in race

Related Words

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
Two people were killed and at least one other was injured in a campus shooting Thursday at South Carolina State University. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Kearse, 53, was convicted of killing Fort Pierce police officer Danny Parrish during a 1991 traffic stop. —Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Bruins prospect Andre Gasseau led the way with a couple of net-front goals, James Hagens picked up two assists and flashed his abundant skill while Dean Letourneau (one goal) was a physical presence on the forecheck and penalty kill. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 Her first intentional kill is there. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kill
  1. destroy
  2. dismiss
  3. delete
  4. wear
  5. fascinate
  6. deactivate
  7. victim
  8. race
Verb
  • Shipwreck hunters have been searching the lakes with more urgency in recent years out of concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying wrecks.
    — Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • However, archaeologists faced a significant challenge—how to penetrate its secrets without destroying it in the process?
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.
    — JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • The post was deleted after other commenters were more pointed in their opprobrium.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Therefore, the logical next step would be to also delete that letter from his own last name.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of delete
Verb
  • Cody Powers said that his mother wore State Farm sweatshirts and T-shirts and entered every promotion the company offered.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Complex magazine also reported that the number may have served as a tribute to the singer's late uncle, who wore 64 as a football player.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • This is Taymor’s first production to embark on a national tour, and she’s been fascinated by the range of audience responses.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • From legal aspirations to a life of art As a girl, I was fascinated by color, texture and creative expressions.
    — Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of fascinate
Verb
  • Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Foley says during the time the crimes were being committed, Healey only deactivated the EBT debit cards flagged for fraud and did not prosecute any individuals connected to those cards and benefits.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of deactivate
Noun
  • Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The victim was taken to Hartford Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to state police.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Oklahoma City’s mayoral race will be decided soon as residents cast their vote between current Mayor David Holt and challenger Matthew Pallares.
    — Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of race

Phrases Containing kill

Browse Nearby Words

kilderkins
kill
killed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kill. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kill

Nglish: Translation of kill for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kill

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All