killing

1 of 3

noun

kill·​ing ˈki-liŋ 

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

2 of 3

adjective

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

killingly

ˈki-liŋ-lē 

adverb

killing

3 of 3

present participle of kill entry 1

Synonyms of killing

Adjective

• funny
• comedic
• humorous
• screaming
• comic
• entertaining
• amusing
• ridiculous
• hysterical
• comical

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

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

For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021

And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing killing

• honor killing
• killing field
• mercy killing
• the suspense is killing me

Rhymes for killing

• billing
• chilling
• drilling
• filling
• grilling
• milling
• pilling
• rilling
• schilling
• shilling
• skilling
• spilling

Kids Definition

killing

noun

kill·​ing

ˈkil-iŋ

: a sudden large profit