Pronunciation

/kɪl/

Definitions

• Verb: To cause the death of (a person, animal, or other living thing) intentionally or unintentionally; to put an end to something’s existence or functioning. For example: “The hunter killed the deer with a single shot.”
  • figurative usage: “She killed her chances of promotion by making that mistake.”
• Verb: To destroy or neutralize bacteria, germs, or viruses, often by chemical or heat treatment. Example: “Boiling water kills most harmful bacteria.”
• Verb: To severely affect someone emotionally; to devastate or deeply upset. Example: “The news of her father’s death killed her spirits.”
• Noun: The act of causing death or destruction; a killing. Example: “There was a brutal murder, and the police are investigating the kill.”
• Noun (informal): A successful or impressive achievement. Example: “That goal was an absolute kill in the match.”

Phrases

• “Kill two birds with one stone” means to achieve two objectives with a single action.
• “Make a kill” refers to a successful hunt or accomplishment, especially in business.
• “Kill time” means to spend time on unproductive activities while waiting.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “The soldier was ordered to kill the enemy.”
• Noun: “The detective pieced together the details of the crime scene where the kill took place.”
• Figurative usage: “The harsh words from his boss killed any enthusiasm he had for the project.”

Synonyms

• Murder
• Slay
• Dispatch
• Destroy
• End
• Eliminate (in non-literal contexts)
• Neutralize (for the sense of eliminating germs or stopping something from functioning)
• Decimate (in a figurative sense of devastating something)