murderer

noun

mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər How to pronounce murderer (audio)
Synonyms of murderernext
: one who murders
especially : one who commits the crime of murder

Synonyms of murderer

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Examples of murderer in a Sentence

the murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Benjamin Rush, the Philadelphia physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence, opposed executing even murderers. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Showing mercy to murderers historically has not been popular with voters. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Even after the actual murderer was arrested and convicted, the accusations against me continued. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 In the latter half of the 1970s, Montgomery played a victim in A Case of Rape, accused and acquitted murderer Lizzie Borden in The Legend of Lizzie Borden and a pioneer woman in The Awakening Land. — Justine Fisher, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murderer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of murderer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing murderer

Browse Nearby Words

murderee
murderer
murderess
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Cite this Entry

“Murderer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murderer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

murderer

noun
mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər How to pronounce murderer (audio)
: a person who commits murder
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