Antonyms for axe

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : aks

Phonetic Transcription : æks

Definition of axe

Origin : Old English æces (Northumbrian acas) "axe, pickaxe, hatchet," later æx, from Proto-Germanic *akusjo (cf. Old Saxon accus, Old Norse ex, Old Frisian axe, German Axt, Gothic aqizi), from PIE *agw(e)si- (cf. Greek axine, Latin ascia).
The spelling ax is better on every ground, of etymology, phonology, and analogy, than axe, which became prevalent during the 19th century; but it is now disused in Britain. [OED]The spelling ax, though "better on every ground, of etymology, phonology, & analogy" (OED), is so strange to 20th-c. eyes that it suggests pedantry & is unlikely to be restored. [Fowler]
Meaning "musical instrument" is 1955, originally jazz slang for the saxophone; rock slang for "guitar" dates to 1967. The axe in figurative sense of cutting of anything (expenses, workers, etc.), especially as a cost-saving measure, is from 1922, probably from the notion of the headman's literal axe (itself attested from mid-15c.). To have an axe to grind is from an 1815 essay by U.S. editor and politician Charles Miner (1780-1865) in which a man flatters a boy and gets him to do the chore of axe-grinding for him, then leaves without offering thanks or recompense. Misattributed to Benjamin Franklin in Weekley, OED print edition, and many other sources.

As in ax/axe : noun large cutting tool
As in weapon : noun arm, armament
As in chopper : noun something that chops
As in cleaver : noun cutting instrument
As in ax/axe : verb cut with large blade
As in ax/axe : verb dismiss from service
As in hew : verb cut
As in chop : verb cut up with tool
As in destroy : verb demolish, devastate

Example sentences :

A man cutting brush in a vacant lot leaned on his axe to look after us.
Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark

I will cause the axe in the act of sinking to do away his sin.
Extract from : « The Babylonian Legends of the Creation » by British Museum

She cut it through, and the axe rang upon the stone wall behind it.
Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter

She squeezed past Katy, secured the axe and hung it round her own neck.
Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter

She looked at Katy reassuringly, then she took off the axe and handed it to her.
Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter

The ankle was small and curved like an axe handle and looked as tough.
Extract from : « The Underdog » by F. Hopkinson Smith

At length a wood-boat gave us an axe, and with this we killed him.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

Junipers were creeping stealthily in, as if expecting the axe.
Extract from : « The Bay State Monthly, Vol. 1, Issue 1. » by Various

These vermin are more to be feared than hangman's cord or headsman's axe.'
Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Once, he roused with a start and hastily got the axe out from underneath the lashings.
Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London

Synonyms for axe

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019