as in dismissals
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in centers
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
in addition to being the suburb's social axis, the country club is the place where deals are made and partnerships are forged
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in alliances
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection
an axis of previously nonaligned nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in sacks
to let go from office, service, or employment
the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of axes
Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … RELAUNCH HICCUP – CBS axes top 'Evening News' producer just days into broadcast revamp.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
In this area, the team found a small patch of reddened sediment, about the size of a modest campfire, surrounded by two pyrites, 19 flints, and four broken hand axes, showing clear signs of heating.
—Jay Kakade
december 30, New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
Continued excavations turned up four stone hand axes that had been shattered by fire.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025
From one metaphor to another From Bush’s revival, the idea of axes took on a life of its own.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 8 Dec. 2025
Utility hatchets are essential, but some axes are made to last several lifetimes.
—Outside, 3 Dec. 2025
The system is adjustable to different blade types and styles, enabling him to sharpen anything from machetes, axes and lawn mower blades to scissors and steak and bread knives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Lorentz's wedding consisted of 500 guests of friends and family, as well as other colleagues in carpentry who came with axes to pay tribute.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Some adventurous souls actually want to tempt gravity, using axes to climb frozen waterfalls or sheets of ice.
—Verb
The passed by Republicans last month axes the credits for projects that don’t begin producing electricity by 2028.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for axes
Verb
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Manning, back for what is probably his final season, is on the short list of best returning quarterbacks in the country and edge rusher Colin Simmons won the SEC sacks title with 12.—
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Riley Moss sacks a scrambling Trevor Lawrence on third-and-4 for a 1-yard loss.—
Verb
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Many of those affected believe that they were wounded by a secret weapon that fires a high-energy beam of microwaves or ultrasound.—
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At that point, the vehicle begins to move forward and a different ICE officer pulls his weapon and immediately fires at close range, then quickly jumps out of the way.—
Verb
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The solution removes moisture from the nail plate to ensure a long-lasting finish and contains biotin to strengthen the nails.—
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Suarez told Fox News Digital that diverting offenders away from prosecution removes a critical point of accountability.—
Verb
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Leadership that dismisses or undermines inclusion inflicts real harm on students, faculty, and staff.—
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Lanthimos dismisses any anxiety the industry might have about accommodating neurodivergent performers.—
Verb
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That gas feeds the central black hole, which then releases gentle energy—enough to prevent new stars from forming, but not enough to destroy the galaxy.—
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Take a look at this week’s best new music releases below.—
Verb
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When Moon abruptly retires, the narrator goes to Korea to find him.—
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Officials are also working to hire a new human resources director to succeed Susan Brazeau, who retires in March.—
Cite this Entry
“Axes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/axes. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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