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

The movie appears to follow that series’ general arc, in which Supergirl — while extra-terrestrially bar-hopping — teams up with the young alien Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) in a quest for revenge on the murderous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025

The movies and the game are about a family restaurant, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, whose anthropomorphic robots turn murderous at night. —Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025

Like witnessing Macbeth’s murderous descent, or Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption arc, watching Survivor characters evolve is moving. —Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

The perpetrators have grown more murderous, but they have not become radicalized as members of a larger ideological group. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

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