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
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
The fatal attack was part of a wave of racially motivated killings during that era in the United States, especially in the south.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 27 May 2025
Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 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
News of the killings shook the small southern Oklahoma community, KOCO reported at the time.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
The fatal attack was part of a wave of racially motivated killings during that era in the United States, especially in the south.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
So tragically, there will be more killing and more destruction in Gaza.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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