cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd 
-nəd
1
: a compound of cyanogen with a more electropositive element or group: such as
b
2
Examples of cyanide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
William Orpet was tried for murder but was found not guilty by jury after the substance found that killed Lambert was potassium cyanide, not liquid cyanide.
—
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The bulletin highlights the case of James Craig, who was convicted in July of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with a mix of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the medication used in eye drops.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
In one example, a Colorado dentist was convicted of first-degree murder after gradually poisoning his wife with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a medication commonly found in eye drops.
—Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The document highlighted as an example the case of a Colorado dentist convicted of first-degree murder last year after gradually poisoning his wife with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the latter a medication commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
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Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The bulletin highlights the case of James Craig, who was convicted in July of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with a mix of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the medication used in eye drops.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
In one example, a Colorado dentist was convicted of first-degree murder after gradually poisoning his wife with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a medication commonly found in eye drops.
—Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The document highlighted as an example the case of a Colorado dentist convicted of first-degree murder last year after gradually poisoning his wife with a mix of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the latter a medication commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanide. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd
-nəd
: a very poisonous compound consisting of carbon and nitrogen with either sodium or potassium
Medical Definition
cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd, -nəd
: any of several compounds (as potassium cyanide) that contain the radical CN having a chemical valence of one, react with and inactivate respiratory enzymes, and are rapidly lethal producing drowsiness, tachycardia, coma, and finally death
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