kill off
End them all
To kill off is to eliminate completely or destroy one by one until none remain.
A disease might kill off an entire species.
Writers kill off characters—removing them permanently from a story, often dramatically.
Companies kill off product lines.
The "off" emphasizes finality: not just killing, but finishing the job.
Destroy completely, utterly
- wipe outDestroy completely or tumble
- eliminateRemove completely
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
extinguish · destroy · decimate · liquidate · purge · root out · stamp out · dispatch
Suppress or nullify
crush · quell · stamp out · snuff out · extinguish · silence · put an end to · terminate
Finest taxonomic rank
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- extinctNo longer existing
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- vanishCease to be visible
disappear · biodiversity · habitat · overhunting · deforestation · die out · mass extinction · dodo
Grazing animals together
- thinningReducing density or number
- selectiveChoosing with care
- livestockDomesticated farm animals
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
overpopulation · population control · harvesting · sustainable · ecosystem · balance · flock · stock
Nature, symbol, or role
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
- showrunnerTV series creative head
finale · written out · dramatic death · fan favorite · series · cast · departure · script
eradicate
Destroy completely, utterly
- wipe outDestroy completely or tumble
- eliminateRemove completely
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
obliterate · extinguish · destroy · decimate · liquidate · purge · root out · stamp out · dispatch · do away with
quash
Suppress or nullify
squash · crush · quell · stamp out · snuff out · extinguish · silence · put an end to · terminate · end
species
Finest taxonomic rank
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- extinctNo longer existing
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
vanish · disappear · biodiversity · habitat · overhunting · deforestation · die out · mass extinction · dodo · passenger pigeon
herd
Grazing animals together
wildlife · overpopulation · population control · harvesting · sustainable · ecosystem · balance · flock · stock · management
character
Nature, symbol, or role
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
showrunner · finale · written out · dramatic death · fan favorite · series · cast · departure · script · episode
kill offrepopulate
Fill again with inhabitants
breed · propagate · multiply · replenish · reintroduce