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.

Project opponents also filed multiple lawsuits seeking to kill the project, alleging faulty environmental reviews and improper city approval.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

In the 1990s, it was out-of-town shopping centres that were predicted to kill off High Streets; then it was online shopping, then working from home.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

“AI may eventually kill off jobs, but that time is not now,” said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Still, it’s hard to definitively kill a rule that’s on the books.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Then Katherine complained, “That’s a stupid comparison. A nuclear explosion in Kansas City would kill all the stolen babies, too.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

kill

Example Sentences

Related Words