Ax — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun abbreviation verb

Meaning & Definition of Ax

Ax (noun)

  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 or spalling stone
  3. removal from office or release from employment, dismissal —usually used with the

Ax (abbreviation)

  1. axiom
  2. axis

Ax (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily

    "the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax"

    similar: discharge, dismissal, furlough, layoff, redundancy (chiefly British)
    related: pink slip, bird (chiefly British), boot, bum's rush, downsizing, firing, heave-ho, sack, closing, shutdown, shakeout, shake-up
    near: callback, recall, reemployment, rehire, rehiring

Ax (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to let go from office, service, or employment

    "the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets"

    similar: bounce, can, cashier, discharge, dismiss, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn off, send packing, show (someone) the door
    related: downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim, boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat, separate
    opposite: employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on
    near: keep, reemploy, rehire, contract, subcontract, recruit

Related Entry: Battle-ax (noun)

Battle-ax is a different word from Ax. The synonyms below are for battle-ax, not for ax.

  1. a bad-tempered scolding woman

    "the veteran stage actress stole every scene with a tour de force performance as the dysfunctional family's battle-ax matriarch"

    similar: dragon lady, fury, harpy, harridan, shrew, termagant, virago, vixen
    related: fishwife, gorgon, carper, castigator, caviler, censurer, critic, faultfinder, nitpicker, railer, scold, belittler, derider, detractor, pettifogger, quibbler

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ax

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ax:

Chiefly British: redundancy
discharge, dismissal, furlough, layoff, bounce, can, cashier, dismiss, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn off, send packing, show (someone) the door

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ax

Words with the opposite meaning of Ax:

employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on

Related Words for Ax

pink slip, bird, boot, bum's rush, downsizing, firing, heave-ho, closing, shutdown, shakeout, shake-up, downsize, excess, lay off, trim, boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat, separate

Near Antonyms of Ax

callback, recall, reemployment, rehire, rehiring, keep, reemploy, contract, subcontract, recruit

Words & Phrases Containing Ax

axe, battle-ax, curtal ax, hand ax, ice ax, meat-ax

Frequently Asked Questions about Ax

What does "Ax" mean?

"Ax" means 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. As an a noun, an abbreviation and a verb, it is defined as: 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. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ax"?

Other words for "Ax" include discharge, dismissal, furlough, layoff, redundancy, bounce, can and cashier. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ax" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ax"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ax". Common alternatives include discharge, dismissal, furlough, layoff, redundancy, bounce, can, cashier, dismiss and fire.

What is the opposite of "Ax"?

Antonyms of "Ax" include employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on) and take on. Near antonyms include callback, recall, reemployment and rehire.

How do you use "Ax" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ax" in a sentence: "the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax"; "the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets".

Is "Ax" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ax" can be used as a noun, an abbreviation and a verb, depending on the context.

What is another word for "Ax" meaning "the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily"?

When "Ax" (noun) means the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily, synonyms include discharge, dismissal, furlough, layoff and redundancy.

What is another word for "Ax" meaning "to let go from office, service, or employment"?

When "Ax" (verb) means to let go from office, service, or employment, synonyms include bounce, can, cashier, discharge, dismiss and fire. Opposites in this sense include employ, engage, hire and retain.