1
: the act of one that kills
2
3
: a sudden notable gain or profit
made a killing in the stock market
1
: that kills or relates to killing
2
: highly amusing
3
: extremely difficult to deal with
the suspense is killing
also
: calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
a killing schedule
Examples of killing in a Sentence
Noun
The oil spill is responsible for the killing of thousands of birds.
Adjective
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Recent Examples on the Web
Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
According to The New York Times, Chappelle — who has been under fired for his transphobic jokes in the past — used his comedy set at the Riyadh Comedy Festival to speak about the lack of freedom of speech in the United States, especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
The anti-trapping, anti-killing anything movement has also taken a toll.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for killing
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Noun
The killing involved a lengthy beating and torture.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
According to The New York Times, Chappelle — who has been under fired for his transphobic jokes in the past — used his comedy set at the Riyadh Comedy Festival to speak about the lack of freedom of speech in the United States, especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
When forces from his past come for revenge, Mark needs to get himself out of the bind without killing anyone and ruining his non-killing streak.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
The anti-trapping, anti-killing anything movement has also taken a toll.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for killing
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killing. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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