murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs How to pronounce murderous (audio)
1
a
: having the purpose or capability of murder
b
: characterized by or causing murder or bloodshed
2
: having the ability or power to overwhelm : devastating
murderous heat
murderously adverb
murderousness noun

Examples of murderous in a Sentence

I can't stand this murderous heat. The lead runner set a murderous pace.
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.
Those settlers managed to make an underground river with murderous maggots on unstable terrain into a tourist attraction in record time. Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 The stories of the state's historic lodges are full of resilience, overcoming natural and economic disasters, and in one case, a brush with a murderous gang of bank robbers. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025 However, Ripley soon becomes obsessed with Dickie — a common murderous bisexual instinct — before killing him and assuming his identity. Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025 Towne had no qualms about comparing King Henry to Adolf Hitler, that murderous German fascist, driving force of the Jewish Holocaust. Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for murderous

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of murderous was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murderous. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

murderous

adjective
mur·​der·​ous ˈmərd-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce murderous (audio)
1
: intending or capable of causing murder or bloodshed : deadly
murderous machine-gun fire
2
: very difficult to bear or withstand
a murderous glance
murderous heat
murderously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on murderous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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