1
: one that kills
2
3
a
: one that has a forceful, violent, or striking impact
b
: one that is extremely difficult to deal with
1
: strikingly impressive or effective
a killer smile
a killer résumé
2
: extremely difficult to deal with
a killer fastball
also
: causing death or devastation
a killer tornado
Examples of killer in a Sentence
Noun
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women.
The chemical is used as a weed killer.
Adjective
killer viruses that claimed millions of lives
a killer exercise program guaranteed to whip you into shape
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Contrary to what these media headlines may say, AI is not a job killer.
—Ruchi Kulhari, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has already proven itself a box-office killer — its second weekend made $45 million domestically, just 6 percent lower than its $48 million opening weekend.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
His killer, who was wearing all black, including a puffer jacket, fled the scene, leaving behind a single 9-mm.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
But with a twist so big — Sarah being the killer of her adulterous husband Adam’s mistress, Kelly Summers, and the one who set him up for the murder while simultaneously defending him tooth and nail in court — where was Rose to go after that?
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Contrary to what these media headlines may say, AI is not a job killer.
—Ruchi Kulhari, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has already proven itself a box-office killer — its second weekend made $45 million domestically, just 6 percent lower than its $48 million opening weekend.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
His killer, who was wearing all black, including a puffer jacket, fled the scene, leaving behind a single 9-mm.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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