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.

Conversely, if you knew an incurable cancer would kill you at 65, you’d probably take Social Security at your earliest eligibility of 62.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

That repair process can help cancer cells survive conditions that would otherwise kill them.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

Gray wolves are a federally protected endangered species and illegal to kill in California.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

Suddenly my lunch isn't sitting quite so well, but a single sandwich isn't going to kill me.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

And I could not kill or trap any longer.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

kill

Example Sentences

Related Words