murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: having the purpose or capability of murder

b

: characterized by or causing murder or bloodshed

2

: having the ability or power to overwhelm : devastating

murderous heat

murderously adverb

murderousness noun

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

Examples of murderous in a Sentence

I can't stand this murderous heat.

The lead runner set a murderous pace.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the dystopian sci-fi parable genre is a marked departure for Lopez, as well as the always affable Liu, who plays his first villain, the murderous yet hot AI, Harlan. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 24 May 2024

In Germany, for example, students still learn about Adolf Hitler, but they are not forced to wear sports jerseys and school-pride t-shirts that glorify symbols or names associated with murderous war crimes. —Sarah Kohrs and Neil Thorne, TIME, 21 May 2024

Instead, Biden’s response has been centered, not on making Hamas pay a price for its murderous attack, or demanding the hostages be immediately released, but to impede Israel’s own response to the carnage Hamas inflicted on its people. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2024

While there, festivities are interrupted by a murderous cartel, and, as Jordan attempts to lead his remaining men to safety, war breaks out between his squad and the cartel. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmərd-(ə-)rəs 

1

: intending or capable of causing murder or bloodshed : deadly

murderous machine-gun fire

2

: very difficult to bear or withstand

a murderous glance

murderous heat

murderously adverb