murderer

noun

mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər How to pronounce murderer (audio)
Synonyms of murderernext
: one who murders
especially : one who commits the crime of murder

Synonyms of murderer

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Examples of murderer in a Sentence

the murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This psychological thriller stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia struggling to track down his wife’s murderer using a system of tattoos and notes. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 The voice cast is a murderer's row of famous Australians, including Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, and Nick Cave. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin said blocking such searches would handicap police searching for murderers, kidnappers and robbers. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 June 2026 Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines arresting terrorists, gang members, murderers, pedophiles and rapists. — Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for murderer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of murderer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing murderer

Browse Nearby Words

murderee
murderer
murderess
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Cite this Entry

“Murderer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murderer. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

murderer

noun
mur·​der·​er ˈmər-dər-ər How to pronounce murderer (audio)
: a person who commits murder

More from Merriam-Webster on murderer

Nglish: Translation of murderer for Spanish Speakers

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