scythe

The Vatican foreign minister described the Pope's ability to scythe through difficult subjects with clarity, reminding officials, for example, to remember migrants as human beings and not just "numbers" in their discussions about them.

It’s hard to say which is the more appalling: the recklessness or the heartlessness with which Musk and his preternaturally powerful posse of 20-somethings are scything their way through Washington.

Now, no matter how fast we run, the grim reaper’s scythe is still inches from our heels.

An occasional scything wind flapped the flags flying at half-staff.

Alright, I’m paraphrasing, but it’s true: A deluge of new franchise installments hitting theaters every year is as sure of a bet as gambling that the grim reaper’s scythe will be razor-sharp.