1
as in destroys
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 dismisses
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 deletes
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wears
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 fascinates
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 deactivates
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 kills
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The investigations are required by AB 1506, which mandates a state investigation of any shooting by a law enforcement officer that kills a person who was not carrying a deadly weapon.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
In the final battle, the group of heroes kills Vecna, and the Mind Flayer, before rescuing the children and setting off bombs that destroy the Upside Down.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
That includes what stunts them and what kills them.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … TRAGEDY STRIKES – Helicopter crash kills Arizona man and 3 nieces on wedding day after canyon collision.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Hot water kills the bacteria that can cause odors.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
During a final confrontation, all of this comes to light, Josephine accidentally shoots and kills Irvine family friend Colin (Jay Ellis), and Peter not-so-accidentally shoots and kills Josephine.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Lately though, claims about the practice have grown, with viral videos and content creators claiming that exposing your blankets to freezing temperatures kills bacteria, banishes allergens, and more.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Pugh then scored on back-to-back kills later in the set, scored on a block and scored on a kill for the final point of the set.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Harris had two kills during a 5-1 run that closed out the first game and a kill, block and ace during a comeback in the second game.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Luckily, Jack and Priya come just in time to save Anna, and Priya shoots and kills Lexy/Catherine.
—Noun
Cos-Okpalla clinched three of the last five points for Texas A&M with two kills and an assisted block, including a final kill over the middle for match point.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for kills
Verb
-
Accordingly, the treatments misprescribed can be ineffective at best and harmful at worst, all while the parasite further destroys the cornea.—
-
The bill also establishes a Class A misdemeanor if someone, without authorization of the patients, alters, forges, conceals or destroys a request for medication or rescission of a request for medication to affect a health care decision.—
Verb
-
The agreement, signed earlier this month, dismisses the federal lawsuit alleging officers should have known Dante Dwaine Day, 44, was having a mental crisis and called for intervention.—
-
The horror meister also dismisses outright any talk online about slowing his filmmaking pace after the box office disappointment for Keeper.—
Verb
-
Comedy deletes your stakes, and the stakes have to feel high for this whole thing to work.—
-
View gallery - 11 images A sharp, new twist on the classic moka pot, the Turbo Moka packs a unique design that deletes the line between function and flair.—
Verb
-
Cyclops dons a more comic-accurate blue-and-yellow uniform, while Xavier wears a black-and-red X symbol on his gray jacket.—
-
Plus, its crew neckline is the ideal base for statement necklaces, just like the chunky string of pearls that Seyfried wears throughout the movie.—
Verb
-
Then there’s the story of life, which also really fascinates me.—
-
Kafka’s work still fascinates readers — like Polish filmmaking legend Holland.—
Verb
-
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.—
-
The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments.—
Noun
-
But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
-
The victims were Kato Allen Perez, born in 1992, who was previously known to be deceased; Nikko Lee Perez, who was born in 1996; Mika Alena Perez, who was born in 1995; a second Nikko Lee Perez, who was born in 1997; and Kato Krow Perez, born in 2001.—
Noun
-
Not to mention, they’re sold in a range of washes to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe.—
-
Available in three washes, from classic dark denim to relaxed light blue, there is a pair for every style.—
Cite this Entry
“Kills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kills. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share