murder 1 of 2

noun

ˈmər-dər How to pronounce murder (audio)
Definition of murdernext
1
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness this weather is murder on my sinuses

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2
as in homicide
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life arrested for attempting to commit murder

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murder

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately those people made me so mad I felt like I wanted to murder them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way we listened in horror as she murdered our favorite song on stage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Regardless of what happens in his next murder trial, Murdaugh will remain in prison. — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Guyger, 38, served seven years of the 10-year sentence handed down in October 2019 for the murder of Botham Jean, 26. — Claire Cardona, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, was found guilty in July of conspiracy to murder for agreeing to shoot an unknown target for just over $28,000 last year. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 There were seven Black players total, so three left, and one is a Traitor, so she will not be murdered. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murder
  1. nightmare
  2. homicide
  3. assassinate
  4. fumble
  5. torture
  6. slaying
  7. slay
  8. blow
Noun
  • After the raid, his daughter struggled with recurring nightmares, the lawsuit said.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Recurring nightmares Juana Rodriguez attended the festival with her three-year-old son.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of nightmare
Noun
  • Roughly a dozen agents from Quantico, Virginia, and Philadelphia homicide detectives are processing the home and surrounding the property.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The police department said the tip was flagged as spam and was never forwarded to homicide investigators.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • This is where Catto was assassinated 155 years ago during a tumultuous Election Day in 1871.
    — Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The plot included plans to assassinate the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his vice president, Geraldo Alckmin.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Verb
  • But when Kansas fumbled the snap on a punt, resulting in a safety, Kansas State was able to take an 18-17 lead to the locker room.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Stockton, who also threw two interceptions, fumbled on a run from the Auburn 46.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of fumble
Noun
  • The Spanish government is investigating accusations detailed in an Amnesty International report of mistreatment and torture by Spanish soldiers.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Pike was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder in 1996 for the 1995 torture and murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of torture
Noun
  • Roberts was arrested almost a month after the slaying on June 14, 2019.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Two others involved in the slaying received lesser sentences — one who was 17 at the time and another who testified on behalf of the state as part of a plea deal.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of slaying
Verb
  • The kind of beast Riley and the Trojans have struggled to slay.
    — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • My Morning Jacket has now earned their own history in the room, with a total of 18 shows played and slayed.
    — Benjy Eisen, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of slay
Verb
  • On Saturday morning, temperatures in the fire area were in the mid-80s and winds blew at about 15 mph.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There have been two times, and maybe three, since 2020 when Baylor should have won the game, but blew it.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow

Browse Nearby Words

murals
murder
murdered
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Cite this Entry

“Murder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on murder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about murder

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