deadly

1 of 2

adjective

dead·​ly ˈded-lē How to pronounce deadly (audio)
deadlier; deadliest
1
: likely to cause or capable of producing death
deadly poison
2
a
: aiming to kill or destroy : implacable
a deadly enemy
b
: highly effective
a deadly exposé
c
: unerring
a deadly marksman
d
: marked by determination or extreme seriousness
3
a
: tending to deprive of force or vitality
a deadly habit
b
: suggestive of death especially in dullness or lack of animation
deadly bores
a deadly conversation
4
: very great : extreme
deadliness noun

deadly

2 of 2

adverb

1
archaic : in a manner to cause death : mortally
2
: suggesting death
3
: extremely
deadly serious
Choose the Right Synonym for deadly

deadly, mortal, fatal, lethal mean causing or capable of causing death.

deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

Examples of deadly in a Sentence

Adjective the world's most deadly snake a more deadly form of the disease They launched a deadly attack. Officers are allowed to use deadly force if necessary. She shoots with deadly accuracy. a basketball player with deadly aim A deadly silence followed his question. The two gang leaders are deadly enemies. He spoke with deadly seriousness. Adverb I'm deadly serious about making an offer on the house.
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.
Adjective
Meanwhile, Russia is making steady gains in Ukraine, and Putin is preparing a summer offensive that could be the deadliest of the war so far, an expert has assessed. Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 Drone video shows tornadoes' damage in Kentucky morning after deadly storms 01:30 4. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Adverb
However, Porziņģis' size and long-range shooting ability are the skeleton key that makes Boston's 5-out offense so deadly. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Another day of extreme weather is unfolding in the United States on Wednesday after violent storms roared through more than a dozen states on Tuesday and turned deadly, bringing hurricane-strength wind gusts, massive hail and tornadoes. Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadly

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadly was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadly. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

deadly

1 of 2 adjective
dead·​ly ˈded-lē How to pronounce deadly (audio)
deadlier; deadliest
1
: likely to cause or capable of causing death
a deadly weapon
2
a
: aiming to kill or destroy
a deadly enemy
b
: very accurate : unerring
a deadly marksman
3
: very great : extreme
a deadly bore
deadliness noun

deadly

2 of 2 adverb
1
: suggesting death
deadly pale
2
: to a very great degree
deadly dull

Medical Definition

deadly

adjective
dead·​ly ˈded-lē How to pronounce deadly (audio)
deadlier; deadliest
: likely to cause or capable of causing death
a deadly disease
a deadly poison
a deadly instrument
deadliness noun

Legal Definition

deadly

adjective
dead·​ly
deadlier; deadliest
: likely to cause or capable of causing death
also : dangerous sense 2

Note: Deadly and dangerous are sometimes used interchangeably, especially in connection with weapons or instruments.

More from Merriam-Webster on deadly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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