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Definitions

axe

VERB
chop
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cleave cube divide hack mince slash whack
STRONG
clip dice fell fragment hackle hash hew lop mangle sever shear truncate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
join unite
STRONG
lengthen
VERB
destroy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consume crush damage dismantle end eradicate gut impair kill maim ravage raze ruin sabotage shatter smash smash-up wipe out wreck
STRONG
abort annihilate annul butcher cream deface desolate despoil dispatch erase exterminate extinguish extirpate level liquidate mar maraud mutilate nuke nullify overturn quash quell ravish slay suppress torpedo total trash vaporize waste wax zap
WEAK
blot out break down lay waste snuff out spoliate stamp out swallow up tear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist bear begin build construct create fix give birth help lose mend repair start
STRONG
improve keep preserve retain save validate
WEAK
restore
VERB
hew
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cleave
STRONG
carve chip chop fashion fell hack hold prune shape strike stroke

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was an anti-authority zealot, made recently rich, with an axe to grind.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

The future Peaches eventually strapped on an electric axe, then found she could do everything a band could do by herself, using electronics.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

While always reluctant to make sweeping changes, Borthwick has not ruled out wielding the axe.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Speaking after Wednesday's stalemate, a gloomy Dyche acknowledged his job was in peril, and that volatile owner Evangelos Marinakis could well decide to swing the axe.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

“Why, morning, Leroy. I missed hearing your axe this morning, thought you must have been taking a break today.”

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis