kill

[kil] / kɪl /

VERB

deprive of existence; destroy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assassinate drown execute get hit massacre murder poison slaughter slay wipe out

STRONG

annihilate asphyxiate crucify dispatch dump electrocute eradicate erase exterminate extirpate finish garrote guillotine hang immolate liquidate lynch neutralize obliterate off sacrifice smother snuff strangle suffocate waste zap

WEAK

do away with do in polish off put away put to death rub out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

save

STRONG

free help leave alone let go maintain preserve

VERB

turn off; cancel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

stop

STRONG

annul cease counteract deaden defeat extinguish forbid halt negative neutralize nix nullify prohibit quash quell recant refuse revoke ruin smother stifle still suppress veto

WEAK

X out shut off turn out

Antonyms

STRONG

OK aid allow approve assist authorize continue create encourage permit sanction start support validate

WEAK

begin initiate turn on

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.

But she garnered urban legend status for making the call to kill off one major and beloved character.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

They say the barriers kill local endangered species like the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin and the leatherback turtle, and they’re not that good at keeping out sharks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

"There is no such thing as a kill switch," Cooper told AFP, adding companies "want to comply with laws wherever they're doing business".

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

He believes that the origins of this fungus may be in a native species that has since adapted to kill the heath-star moss.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

‘So I’ve got to find a mountain that nobody’s ever seen. And work out the answer to a riddle that nobody’s ever solved. And kill a bear that nobody can fight.’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

kill

Example Sentences

Related Words