murderer

noun

mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər 

: one who murders

especially : one who commits the crime of murder

Synonyms of murderer

• assassin
• killer

Examples of murderer in a Sentence

the murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Recent Examples on the Web

Triple-murderer Erin Patterson appealed her convictions Wednesday for poisoning four of her estranged husband’s relatives with death cap mushrooms. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

If the murderer was at the door, the truth must nonetheless be told, whatever the consequences. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Matthew McConaughey’s first television role helped catch a murderer. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026

One woman picketed Doyle’s home with a sign branding him a murderer. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing murderer

• mass murderer

Legal Definition

murderer

noun

mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər 

: a person who commits murder