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   Dis·patch

   /dəˈspaCH/

   

   verb

   • 1. send off to a destination or for a purpose: "he dispatched messages back to base" Similar sendsend offmailshipfreightforwardtransmitconsignremitconveypost
   • 2. deal with (a task, problem, or opponent) quickly and efficiently: "they dispatched the opposition" Similar deal withfinishdispose ofconcludesettlesort outdischargeexecuteperformexpeditepush throughacceleratehastenspeed uphurry oninformal:make short work of
   • ▪ kill: "he dispatched the animal with one blow" Similar killput to deathdo to deathdo away withput an end tofinish offtake the life ofend the life ofslaughterbutchermassacrewipe outmow downshoot downcut downdestroyexterminateeliminateeradicateannihilatemurderassassinateexecuteinformal:bump offknock offpolish offdo intoptake outsnuff outerasecroakstiffzapblow awayblow someone's brains outgive someone the worksiceoffrub outwastewhacksmokescrageuphemistic:terminate with extreme prejudiceliterary:slay

   noun

   • 1. the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose: "a resolution authorizing the dispatch of a peacekeeping force" Similar sendingmailingshippingtransmittalconsignmentposting
   • ▪ speed in action: "the situation might change, so he should proceed with dispatch" Similar promptnessspeedspeedinessswiftnessrapidityquicknessbrisknesshastehastinesshurriednessurgencyliterary:fleetnesscelerityrare:expeditionexpeditiousnesspromptitude
   • 2. an official report on state or military affairs: "in his battle dispatch he described the gunner's bravery" Similar communicationcommuniquébulletinreleasereportaccountannouncementstatementmissiveletterepistlemessageinstructionnewsintelligenceinformal:memoinfolowdowndopeliterary:tidings
   • ▪ a report sent in by a newspaper's correspondent from a faraway place: "he conducted meetings for the correspondents and censored their dispatches"
   • 3. the killing of someone or something: "the legendary dispatch of villains by a hero" Similar killingslaughtermassacredestructionexterminationeliminationliquidationmurderassassinationexecutionliterary:slaying

   Word Origin early 16th century: from Italian dispacciare or Spanish despachar ‘expedite’, from dis-, des- (expressing reversal) + the base of Italian impacciare, Spanish empachar ‘hinder’.

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • D

     2

   • I

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   • S

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   • P

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   • A

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   • T

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   • C

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   • H

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