kill off

verb

killed off; killing off; kills off
Synonyms of kill offnext

transitive verb

: to destroy in large numbers or totally

Examples of kill off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The concern is now that, on the verge of the game actually becoming a reality, it may be killed off. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 His character was killed off-screen in a subsequent season. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 June 2026 Experiments in test tubes and in mice confirmed that the megacluster’s products could kill off various bacteria and were more potent when used in combination. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 Rahimi's deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco ahead 3-2 and Yassine killed off any chance of an upset with a goal in the 89th. CBS News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kill off

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kill off was in 1607

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Cite this Entry

“Kill off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kill%20off. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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