variants
or ax
plural axes
1
: a cutting tool that consists of a heavy edged head fixed to a handle with the edge parallel to the handle and that is used especially for felling trees and chopping and splitting wood
2
: a hammer with a sharp edge for dressing (see dress entry 1 sense 6e) or spalling stone
3
informal
a
: removal from office or release from employment : dismissal
—usually used with the
Employees with poor evaluations got the axe.
Trump quickly gave him the ax [=fired him] for his incompetence.—
Laura Petrecca
Laura Petrecca
b
: abrupt elimination or severe reduction of something
Unlimited expense accounts, signing bonuses, and office plants—all are getting the ax [=being cut or eliminated] thanks to corporate cost-cutting measures.—Amanda Hinnant
Amanda HinnantNo party was brave enough to offend its supporters by taking an axe to [=severely reducing] expenditure.—The Economist
The Economist4
slang
: any of several musical instruments (such as a guitar or a saxophone)
variants
or ax
axed; axing; axes
1
a
: to shape, dress (see dress entry 1 sense 6e), or trim with an axe
axe stone
b
: to chop, split, or sever with an axe
axe branches from a tree
2
informal
: to remove abruptly (as from employment or from a budget)
The TV program was axed from the new schedule.
Synonyms
Examples of axe in a Sentence
Noun
the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax
Verb
The boss told him that he had been axed.
the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets
Recent Examples on the Web
Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Disneyland adds new show scenes during Haunted Mansion makeover
The new storyline turns the attic bride from an axe murderer who beheads her wealthy husbands for their fortunes into a brooding bride mourning the loss of her husbands and filled with the overwhelming dread of lost love.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 18 Jan. 2025
In his office, Berg used an ice axe to pitch Smith on a collaboration, which would eventually follow a fictional frontiersman and mother-son duo navigating the Westward expansion.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Holding an axe, she was portrayed as a murderous, wealth-seeking seductress who had beheaded her husbands, evident by their heads disappearing from the wedding portraits scattered around the attic.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Go deeper: SouthPark’s personal shopper will help transform your wardrobe, no matter your budget, age or lifestyle
Unleash your inner lumberjack
Escape the heat with axe throwing — here are a few spots in the area:
BATL Axe Throwing (Plaza Midwood): 933 Louise Ave.
—Mckenzie Rankin, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
The 47th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games lands at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs this weekend with pipers, dancing, animals, artisan craft vendors, axe throwing, archery, a medieval camp, children’s activities, food and drinks, Highland athletics and more.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
The park also offers karting, axe throwing, arcade games, food and more.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Additional activities ignite family bonding, like axe throwing, golfing, a vibrant Festival of Colors, and miles of scenic hiking.
—Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
The Mac edition of Aura eliminated 100% of the Windows samples, while Avast and McAfee axed 97% and 96%, respectively.
—PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
As the allegations surfaced and then grew, Manson was dropped by CAA as a client and axed from acting roles in American Gods and Creepshow.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
That’s also why the network axed the band on Late Night With Seth Meyers and dropped the number of weekly episodes of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon from five to four.
—Alex Cranz, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025
In November Reuters reported Trump's team was planning to axe a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles once the new president takes office.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Wood’s comment seemingly referenced former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who got the axed from the network in 2023.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Jan. 2025
But the show itself wasn’t around for a good time or even a particularly long time, getting axed after pilot reshoots and a shaky single season that bombed with critics.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Pepsi is axing a permanent flavor from its lineup — but a new one will hit shelves soon.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
For even more fun, book the Adventure Alisal package to add on two extra activities per night per room, like horseback riding, axe throwing, and golfing at one of Alisal Ranch’s two championship courses.
—Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Disneyland adds new show scenes during Haunted Mansion makeover
The new storyline turns the attic bride from an axe murderer who beheads her wealthy husbands for their fortunes into a brooding bride mourning the loss of her husbands and filled with the overwhelming dread of lost love.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 18 Jan. 2025
In his office, Berg used an ice axe to pitch Smith on a collaboration, which would eventually follow a fictional frontiersman and mother-son duo navigating the Westward expansion.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Holding an axe, she was portrayed as a murderous, wealth-seeking seductress who had beheaded her husbands, evident by their heads disappearing from the wedding portraits scattered around the attic.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Go deeper: SouthPark’s personal shopper will help transform your wardrobe, no matter your budget, age or lifestyle
Unleash your inner lumberjack
Escape the heat with axe throwing — here are a few spots in the area:
BATL Axe Throwing (Plaza Midwood): 933 Louise Ave.
—Mckenzie Rankin, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
The 47th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games lands at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs this weekend with pipers, dancing, animals, artisan craft vendors, axe throwing, archery, a medieval camp, children’s activities, food and drinks, Highland athletics and more.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
The park also offers karting, axe throwing, arcade games, food and more.
—Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Additional activities ignite family bonding, like axe throwing, golfing, a vibrant Festival of Colors, and miles of scenic hiking.
—Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
Friday night, Trump summarily axed 18 of the federal government’s 73 inspectors general, yanking 13 IGs out of 15 at Cabinet-level departments.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
The Mac edition of Aura eliminated 100% of the Windows samples, while Avast and McAfee axed 97% and 96%, respectively.
—PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
As the allegations surfaced and then grew, Manson was dropped by CAA as a client and axed from acting roles in American Gods and Creepshow.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
That’s also why the network axed the band on Late Night With Seth Meyers and dropped the number of weekly episodes of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon from five to four.
—Alex Cranz, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2025
In November Reuters reported Trump's team was planning to axe a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles once the new president takes office.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Wood’s comment seemingly referenced former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who got the axed from the network in 2023.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Jan. 2025
But the show itself wasn’t around for a good time or even a particularly long time, getting axed after pilot reshoots and a shaky single season that bombed with critics.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Pepsi is axing a permanent flavor from its lineup — but a new one will hit shelves soon.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Dictionary Entries Near axe
Cite this Entry
“Axe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axe. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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