matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd 
ˈmā-
ˈmā-
1
[Latin matricidium, from matr- + -cidium -cide]
: murder of a mother by her child
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida -cide]
: one who commits matricide
Examples of matricide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the illuminated texts of the medieval and early Renaissance periods, artists decided to rachet up the horrors of Agrippina’s matricide.
—
Diana Arterian
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Several generate physical action that, besides wickedness, is driven by rage — fights, accidents, assaults, pederasty, filicide, matricide.
—Stuart Dybek, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
One thing that struck most reporters was her apparent lack of remorse or grief over this rare crime — matricide, the murder of a mother by her biological child.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 Dec. 2024
Easily the nation’s most notable parolee, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, 32, was released Dec. 28 having served eight years of her 10-year sentence for matricide.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2024
However, Daniel's hold over Luke proves to be strong, and almost leads him to commit matricide.
—Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Sep. 2022
And on down through matricide, wife-killing and a string of other high crimes and misdemeanors.
—Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020
Even the episode involving matricide – at the extremity of possible wrongdoing – was not clear-cut.
—The Washington Post, The Mercury News, 18 June 2019
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Diana Arterian
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Several generate physical action that, besides wickedness, is driven by rage — fights, accidents, assaults, pederasty, filicide, matricide.
—Stuart Dybek, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
One thing that struck most reporters was her apparent lack of remorse or grief over this rare crime — matricide, the murder of a mother by her biological child.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 Dec. 2024
Easily the nation’s most notable parolee, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, 32, was released Dec. 28 having served eight years of her 10-year sentence for matricide.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2024
However, Daniel's hold over Luke proves to be strong, and almost leads him to commit matricide.
—Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Sep. 2022
And on down through matricide, wife-killing and a string of other high crimes and misdemeanors.
—Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020
Even the episode involving matricide – at the extremity of possible wrongdoing – was not clear-cut.
—The Washington Post, The Mercury News, 18 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Matricide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matricide. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
ˈmā-
ˈmā-
1
: murder of a mother by her child
2
: one that murders his or her mother
Medical Definition
matricide
noun
ma·tri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
ˈmā-
ˈmā-
1
: murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
: one that murders his or her mother
Legal Definition
matricide
noun
mat·ri·cide
ˈma-trə-ˌsīd
1
: the murder of a mother by her son or daughter
2
[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida killer]
: a person who murders his or her mother
Etymology
Latin matricidium, from matr-, mater mother + -cidium killing
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