plural slayings
: the act of killing a person : killing, murder
—used chiefly in journalistic writing
a gangland slaying
Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.—
Peter Stein
Peter SteinHe is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …—Joseph P. Fried
Joseph P. FriedExamples of slaying in a Sentence
a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
The slaying, believed to be the first of a judge in more than three decades, shocked his colleagues in the local court system and resulted in a sweeping police investigation.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
As at the first trial, Dominguez faces charges of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in Breaux’s killing, along with a charge of second-degree murder in Najm’s slaying.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The slaying struck fear in the quiet community of Adelanto, where rumors spread about a serial killer on the loose in Victor Valley, according to the Daily Press.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Hill and Newson are both charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the slayings of Claudette, 85, and Major Melvin, 89, Hill’s grandparents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
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Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
As at the first trial, Dominguez faces charges of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in Breaux’s killing, along with a charge of second-degree murder in Najm’s slaying.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The slaying struck fear in the quiet community of Adelanto, where rumors spread about a serial killer on the loose in Victor Valley, according to the Daily Press.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Hill and Newson are both charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the slayings of Claudette, 85, and Major Melvin, 89, Hill’s grandparents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaying
Cite this Entry
“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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