murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: having the purpose or capability of murder

a murderous machine gun

b

: characterized by or causing murder or bloodshed

a murderous dictator

2

: having the ability or power to overwhelm : devastating

murderous heat

murderously adverb

murderousness noun

Synonyms of murderous

• oppressive
• harsh
• searing
• brutal
• tough
• severe
• rough
• cruel
• hard
• grim
• inhuman

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

However, there will be a day soon that the Iranian people will be in charge of their own fate, not the murderous ayatollah’s regime. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026

Few Iranians will mourn the demise of the cruel and murderous Ayatollah Khamenei or his cohorts, and a large segment of Iranians want the corrupt religious regime gone. —Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026

He's acted decisively, and Iran no longer being led by a theocratic, murderous dictator, that makes America much, much safer. —CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026

The Iranian regime is a brutal and murderous dictatorship. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmərd-(ə-)rəs 

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