slay

slay

verb \ˈslā\

slew\ˈslü\ also especially in sense 2 slayedslain\ˈslān\slay·ing

Definition of SLAY

transitive verb

1

: to kill violently, wantonly, or in great numbers; broadly : to strike down : kill

2

: to delight or amuse immensely <slayed the audience>

intransitive verb

: kill, murder

— slay·er noun

Examples of SLAY

1. The knight slew the dragon.
2. <millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease>

Origin of SLAY

Middle English slen, from Old English slēan to strike, slay; akin to Old High German slahan to strike, Middle Irish slachta stricken

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SLAY

Synonyms: carry off, claim, croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, kill, take

Antonyms: animate

Related Words: bump off, butcher, cut down, finish, get, ice [slang], knock off, murder, neutralize, off [slang], put away, rub out, scrag, snuff, take out, waste, whack [slang]; annihilate, blot out, decimate, kill off, massacre, mow, slaughter, smite; assassinate, execute, martyr, terminate; euthanize (also euthanatize), put down; suicide

Near Antonyms: raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive; nurture

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at kill

Rhymes with SLAY

a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea