fratricide

noun

frat·​ri·​cide ˈfra-trə-ˌsīd 

1

: the act of murdering or killing one's own brother or sister or an individual (as a countryman) having a relationship like that of a brother or sister

2

: one who commits fratricide

fratricidal

ˌfra-trə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of fratricide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Iran did little to stop the fratricide. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025

The problem with the plan was fratricide, among other wanton cellular murders. — Jason Mast, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023

The Type-1a supernovae don’t come from solitary stars sitting around waiting to die, but from a case of pure stellar fratricide. — Popular Mechanics, 18 Apr. 2023

But what is absolutely clear to me right now is that this Israeli government is committing suicide, homicide and fratricide. — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

in sense 2, from Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin fratricida, from fratr-, frater brother + -cida -cide; in sense 1, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin fratricidium, from fratr-, frater + -cidium -cide

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for fratricide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• bisulphide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide

Legal Definition

fratricide

noun

frat·​ri·​cide ˈfra-trə-ˌsīd 

1

: one that murders or kills his or her own brother or sister or an individual (as a countryman) having a relationship like that of a brother or sister

2

: the act of a fratricide

fratricidal

ˌfra-trə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin fratricida, from fratr-, frater brother + -cida killing