1
as in oppressive
difficult to endure
the murderous heat of the desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
those exams were murderous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
braved murderous machine-gun fire to capture the hill from the enemy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in murdering
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
Viking warriors became legendary for the murderous fury they displayed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of murderous
Gerard Johnstone returned to write and direct the follow-up film, which brings back the murderous artificial intelligence doll known as M3GAN (short for Model 3 Generative Android) as she’s rebooted with advanced upgrades to stop a dangerous humanoid military robot.
—
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 July 2025
Hunting The Yorkshire Ripper, meanwhile, uncovers how police tracked down a hoaxer who allowed a serial killer to continue his murderous spree, while there are a trio of other shows.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 June 2025
While looking for keys, Seon-nyeo stumbles across Jeong-dae, who was playing dead to fool a murderous, off-key Nam-gyu.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
This is a duplicitous, murderous regime that isn’t interested in dialogue.
—Danielle Wallace , Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 July 2025
Hunting The Yorkshire Ripper, meanwhile, uncovers how police tracked down a hoaxer who allowed a serial killer to continue his murderous spree, while there are a trio of other shows.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 June 2025
While looking for keys, Seon-nyeo stumbles across Jeong-dae, who was playing dead to fool a murderous, off-key Nam-gyu.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
This is a duplicitous, murderous regime that isn’t interested in dialogue.
—Danielle Wallace , Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
Adjective
-
Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has implemented a string of oppressive measures against women and girls, even cracking down on the sound of women’s voices in public.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
-
Others reject the portrayal of federal actions as oppressive, suggesting deployments like those in Los Angeles prioritize national security and immigration enforcement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Police said less lethal munitions were deployed by federal authorities.—
Jenna Sundel
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
An attempt to execute an inmate by lethal injection in February 2024 was called off after prison staff failed to properly attach IV lines.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike harsher retinoids, this one is gentle enough for sensitive skin.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
-
Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Figuring out what that number is can be quite challenging as the issue is twofold: the company's cash needs and your own personal reserves, which are separate.—
Kristin McKenna,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Gap Easy Trousers Finding summer work pants that are both breathable and stylish can be challenging, but these petite Easy Trousers from Gap fit the bill perfectly.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Texan communities are dealing with the impact of the deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River, which have killed at least 80 people so far.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
7 July 2025
-
The search for those swept into deadly floods in central Texas continued Sunday as the death toll climbed to 78.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
After watching in terror as a man violently attacked a police officer in an El Cajon fast-food restaurant, Iesha Booker checked for a pulse on the bloody, unconscious officer and yelled into the radio on his belt.—
Karen Kucher,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
-
Photos of the man in a hospital bed with a bloody mouth were also posted.—
Jonece Starr Dunigan,
AL.com,
14 July 2017
Adjective
-
Netflix continues to expand its reality TV universe, with The Ultimatum franchise returning for another searing test of love and commitment.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
2 July 2025
-
Football is certainly another, which is why rapper Kendrick Lamar’s willingness to hold a mirror to America during his Super Bowl halftime performance was so searing in its power.—
Andrea Williams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share