killing

noun

kill·ing | \ ˈki-liŋ

Definition of killing

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the act of one that kills

2 : kill sense 2a

3 : a sudden notable gain or profit made a killing in the stock market

killing

adjective

Definition of killing (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from killing Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about killing

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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: Noun

No information is available about suspects or a motive for the killing. — Loyd Brumfield, Dallas News, "Victim dies after being shot multiple times at Pleasant Grove apartments," 21 June 2019 Officials did not provide additional details about a motive for the killings. — Gwendolyn Wu, SFChronicle.com, "Man charged with murder for fatal stabbings in rural San Mateo County," 21 June 2019 Officials have yet to disclose a specific motive for the killing. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "Girl, 15, Texted 'I'm Scared' When Mom's Boyfriend Entered Her Room Before He Allegedly Killed Her," 20 June 2019 Police have not yet released a motive for the killing. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Jail released another inmate by mistake, this time a murder suspect," 18 June 2019 He was taken into custody last Wednesday by Maine State Police and Penobscot County sheriffs deputies on an arrest warrant affidavit issued in Connecticut for the 1986 killing. — Nicholas Rondinone, courant.com, "Suspect in 1986 slaying of 11-year-old Kathleen Flynn remains held on $5 million bail after facing judge," 17 June 2019 After failing to find a trace of the weapon, investigators quickly ruled out a suicide and had instead focused on finding a personal motive for the killing. — Melissa Eddy, BostonGlobe.com, "Killing of German politician is treated as possible terrorist act," 17 June 2019 Investigators did not have any information about a possible motive for the killing. — Michelle Hunter, nola.com, "Man shot dead, found in Harvey drainage canal identified," 11 June 2019 Merritt's attorneys said the two men were best friends and investigators overlooked another possible suspect in the killings. — CBS News, "California man guilty of killing family of 4 found in desert graves," 10 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Police reports, witness statements and dispatch logs shared earlier have provided more detail about the confusion and heroism as the concert venue became a killing field. — Ken Ritter, Fox News, "Police release more video from officers at Vegas shooting," 13 June 2018 The disturbing confessions of a Louisiana man accused in three 2017 murders reveal a suspect who viewed a killing spree as similar to a deer hunt and who looked at victims as animals he was licensed to kill, police reports show. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Louisiana man accused in three murders says he was filling hunting 'tags' for state police, FBI, officials say," 22 Aug. 2018 The release last week of about 2,100 pages of police reports, witness statements and dispatch logs provided more detail about the chaos, confusion and heroism as the concert venue became a killing field. — Washington Post, "Video shows police response, fleeing crowd at Vegas attack," 30 May 2018 The cast sculpture comprises two main pieces, interlocking where the mouth of the lion meets the neck of the dog — the killing moment frozen in time. — New York Times, "Charles Ray, Walking a Fine Line With a Hungry Lion," 13 May 2018 Earlier this year, a forensic linguist shed new light on letters supposedly written by the murderer during the killing spree that sent shockwaves through Victorian London. — James Rogers, Fox News, "Chilling 'I am Jack the Ripper' postcard resurfaces," 26 Apr. 2018 Grace believes Carl, who may have dementia, murdered her sister years ago during a killing spree. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 new mysteries to read this summer," 17 May 2018 The Riverside man also bought Farook an explosive powder that was used in a bomb that Farook left at the killing scene, authorities said. — Fox News, "25 years urged for buyer of rifles used in terror attack," 10 Apr. 2018 Prediction for the season: What's next for Salazar, the former Sombra Negra soldier who was last seen in the thick of a killing spree? — Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Fear the Walking Dead': Where Everyone Left Off and What's Next (After the Big Crossover)," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'killing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.