murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs 

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

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

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

All this was condoned when not encouraged or even led by local and state officials, who funded murderous militias. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2025

The section has also added French director Cardona’s No One Will Know, a huit clos in which the clients and bar staff of a shabby cafe outside Paris enter into a murderous pact when an elderly regular comes in and wins big in the lottery. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025

Under Soviet rule, the Ukrainian national project suffered as Ukrainians endured Joseph Stalin’s murderous collectivization and aggressive Russification. —Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Ready or Not starred Weaving as a bride who learns of her new family’s wedding night ritual where a murderous game is played, all to appease an ancient family deal with the devil. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 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