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   dispatch

   /dɪˈspatʃ/

   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 or opponent) quickly and efficiently: "the Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by 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
   • ▪ promptness and efficiency: "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:memoinfolow-downdopeliterary:tidings
   • ▪ a report sent in from abroad by a journalist: "he conducted meetings for the correspondents and censored their dispatches"
   • 3. the killing of someone or something: "the executioner's merciful dispatch of his victims" 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

     1

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • C

     3

   • H

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