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murder 1 of 2

Definition of murdernext

murder

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word murder distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of murder are assassinate, dispatch, execute, kill, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When could assassinate be used to replace murder?

Although the words assassinate and murder have much in common, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When might dispatch be a better fit than murder?

The words dispatch and murder can be used in similar contexts, but dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

Where would execute be a reasonable alternative to murder?

In some situations, the words execute and murder are roughly equivalent. However, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

When would kill be a good substitute for murder?

While in some cases nearly identical to murder, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use slay instead of murder?

While the synonyms slay and murder are close in meaning, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of murder
Noun
Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances relating to multiple homicides. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026 Martel sheds light on the murder trial of the three men, the lives of Chocobar and his fellow Chuchagasta people, and the centuries-old, colonialist legacy of land and property theft across Latin America. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Without any definitive answers just yet, there's been lots of speculation in the local press, including questions about whether the couple were murdered or died by suicide. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 Schloss’ father, Erich Geiringer, and her older brother, Heinz, were both murdered there, leaving Eva and her mother, Fritzi, as the sole survivors of their family. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murder
Noun
  • In the ‘Groundhog Day’-esque nightmare that never ends, the ‘urgent’ and ‘engaged’ Boston Red Sox are up a creek without a paddle, vessel, and excuse, having lost out on a top – and very sign-able – free-agent target once again.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • This artistic decision shifts the focus from the battlefield to the psychological and bureaucratic nightmare faced by those desperately trying to orchestrate a rescue from hundreds of miles away.
    Robert Lang, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact KCPD homicide unit detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
    Kendrick Calfee Updated January 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
  • More information about homicides is available from The Sun’s homicides database.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The protests are only the latest problem facing Khamenei’s regime, which had much of its leadership assassinated by Israel during a twelve-day war last June.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Venezuelan authorities accused both men of plotting to destabilize the government and assassinate Maduro, allegations denied by Spanish officials and civil organizations, which said the two were traveling for tourism.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Ball security The Hurricanes have fumbled the ball four times in the past two games and lost two of them — one apiece by Malachi Toney (first round against Texas A&M) and Fletcher (quarterfinal against Ohio State).
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Herbert, who threw four interceptions in his last postseason appearance, fumbled five times after only coughing up the ball twice in his first 12 games this season.
    Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This is likewise the thrust of Salò, based on the Marquis de Sade’s The 120 Days of Sodom, an orgiastic, disturbing carnival of torture, rape, and killing, reset by Pasolini in the town from which fascism reigned in the 1940s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Marcano Tábata is widely identified by human rights groups as part of the command structure overseeing detention centers where political prisoners have been held, including facilities accused of systematic abuse and torture.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The series has a particular focus on the why more than on the how of the slaying at its center, as well as the impact Katie's murder has on the entire town, from the police officers investigating the case to Jamie's sister to Katie's best friend.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In a two-day trial last month, a jury concluded that Mullen is mentally competent to be tried in the slaying.
    Cameron Macdonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Monday is a chance to slay some of their infamous medal round demons.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Stranger Things slayed at helping revive Eighties culture and music throughout its run, especially with its song choices.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Somehow, this new sensation emitted an awareness of the magnitude in which skateboarding would warp my life, which only ratcheted up the anxiety of blowing it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Murder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on murder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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