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

• 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

So, the whole thing just seems naive from people who’ve been oppressed by this murderous regime for 46 years. —Fiction Non Fiction july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025

But if a surprise pregnancy isn’t the moment for a young man to find moral purpose, surely a surprise pregnancy inside a murderous game of death should be, right? —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025

Memphis, at present, ranks in the top five of America's most murderous cities. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The exposition required by their oil-and-water dynamic means the film isn't as action-heavy as its sequels (with the exception of a rogue trio of murderous vampires, of course). —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 July 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