slaying

noun

slay·​ing ˈslā-iŋ 

plural slayings

: the act of killing a person : killing, murder

—used chiefly in journalistic writing

a gangland slaying

Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.

—Peter Stein

He is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …

—Joseph P. Fried

Synonyms of slaying

• murder
• homicide
• killing

Examples of slaying in a Sentence

a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery

Recent Examples on the Web

With chilling detail, Marshall depicts the slaying of the Zulu monarch Shaka by his half brothers. —James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

Heuermann currently faces 10 charges of first- and second-degree murder in connection with the slayings of seven women going back to 1993. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026

Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, was charged Monday with one count of second-degree murder in Chisago County District Court in connection with her slaying. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025

While Derek confessed to the slaying, his case has received national attention due to a vocal community of supporters who believe Derek is innocent. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slaying

• baying
• braying
• faying
• flaying
• fraying
• graying
• greying
• haying
• laying
• neighing
• paying
• playing