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

Examples 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

Goshen Township Fire Department personnel were dispatched on Nov. 4 to the 1500 block of East Meadowbrook Drive for a report of an infant experiencing breathing problems after a fall, police said. —

Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024 Authorities were dispatched to a report of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School, east of downtown Madison, at 10:57 a.m., Barnes said. —

Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024

Noun

The software can schedule jobs, take payments, handle payroll, and dispatch workers. —

Bob Pisani, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024 Medics came into the house about 90 seconds after Clark told radio dispatch the scene was safe to enter. —

Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dispatch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispatch

Verb

Saint Laurent’s spring 2025 show nodded to the brand’s eponymous founder, with creative director Anthony Vaccarello sending slouchy suits and bohemian prints down the runway.

Hannah Malach, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024
The seasonal greeting is for professional use and the couple will send a separate card to their close family and friends that won’t be shared publicly, the UK’s PA Media news agency reported.

Issy Ronald, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024