DISPATCH Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dispatch' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of dispatch are assassinate , execute , kill , murder , and slay . While all these words mean "to deprive of life," dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death. // dispatched the sentry with one bullet

Q: When might 'assassinate' be a better fit than 'dispatch'?

While the synonyms assassinate and dispatch are close in meaning, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives. // terrorists assassinated the Senator

Q: When could 'execute' be used to replace 'dispatch'?

The synonyms execute and dispatch are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty. // executed by lethal gas

Q: Where would 'kill' be a reasonable alternative to 'dispatch'?

In some situations, the words kill and dispatch are roughly equivalent. However, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner. // killed in an accident // frost killed the plants

Q: When is it sensible to use 'murder' instead of 'dispatch'?

The words murder and dispatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility. // convicted of murdering a rival

Q: When is 'slay' a more appropriate choice than 'dispatch'?

The meanings of slay and dispatch largely overlap; however, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive. // slew thousands of the Philistines

dispatch 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈspach

Definition of dispatch next

as in to send

to cause to go or be taken from one place to another dispatched a messenger with urgent news

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to kill

to deprive of life the exterminator dispatched the termites with professional efficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assassinate

to put to death deliberately during his reign of terror the dictator dispatched thousands without the slightest qualm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over they dispatched the other team without breaking a sweat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dispatch

2 of 2

noun

di-ˈspach

as in letter

a message on paper from one person or group to another a soldier sending daily dispatches to friends and family back home

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in message

a piece of conveyed information a dispatch from headquarters regarding a change in battle plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dispatch distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of dispatch are assassinate, execute, kill, murder, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When might assassinate be a better fit than dispatch?

While the synonyms assassinate and dispatch are close in meaning, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When could execute be used to replace dispatch?

The synonyms execute and dispatch are sometimes interchangeable, but execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

Where would kill be a reasonable alternative to dispatch?

In some situations, the words kill and dispatch are roughly equivalent. However, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident

frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use murder instead of dispatch?

The words murder and dispatch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When is slay a more appropriate choice than dispatch?

The meanings of slay and dispatch largely overlap; however, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dispatch

Verb

The investigation began when CT were dispatched to Stop and Shop on Fenn Road on Oct. 28, 2024 to check the welfare of an adult female, police said. —

Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2025 This included dispatching his pick for special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move forward with the deal. —

Laura Kelly, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025

Noun

The department encouraged anyone who sees a mountain lion to contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or call 911 to have dispatch connect you to someone at the wildlife agency. —

Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025 The app pulls its wildfire information from official government reports, volunteer reporters, and 911 dispatch calls which are then vetted and monitored using radio scanners, wildlife cameras, satellites, and local announcements from law enforcement and fire services. —

Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dispatch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispatch

Verb

The Night Agent upped the ante in its second outing, with Peter becoming enmeshed in a chemical weapons threat and (gulp) unwittingly swaying a presidential election that sends his moral compass spinning.

— Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Newsweek on Tuesday that none of the deportees sent from the U.S. to Colombia in the first batch of repatriation flights under the new Trump administration had criminal records in either country, with their sole offense being in the U.S. illegally.

— Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025