What is another word for kill?

Common synonyms for kill include wipeout, beltdown, down, shootdown, puttingtodeath.

What is the opposite of kill?

Antonyms of kill include save, create, birth, preserve, protect.

Synonyms for

Kill

Verb / kɪl / Another word for kill — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to cause the death of a person, animal, or plant

Synonyms & similar words

wipeout beltdown down shootdown puttingtodeath voteout votedown obliterate stampout killing drinkdown defeat boltdown pop tossoff pourdown murder assassinate execute slaughter eliminate destroy terminate neutralize exterminate annihilate eradicate dispatch liquidate butcher

Synonyms by register

Formal

terminate eliminate annihilate exterminate

Informal

off waste bump off ice

Literary

slay dispatch rend

Antonyms

save create birth preserve protect revive heal

Common collocations

kill time
kill a bug
kill the engine
kill the mood
kill someone
kill a project
kill the lights

Word family

noun killing

verb kill

adjective killing

Usage note

While 'kill' can be used literally for ending a life, it's also used figuratively in many idioms. Be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly aggressive or insensitive.