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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective deadly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deadly are fatal, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would fatal be a good substitute for deadly?

In some situations, the words fatal and deadly are roughly equivalent. However, fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is lethal a more appropriate choice than deadly?

While in some cases nearly identical to deadly, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When could mortal be used to replace deadly?

The synonyms mortal and deadly are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

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 deadly
Adjective
With one of the deadliest in the sport, Cruz has preyed upon batters this season, racking up 50 strikeouts to go with a 3.26 ERA over 30.1 innings in his first season with the Yankees. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025 The two countries have been trading deadly attacks since then, and the U.S. military has helped intercept missiles and drones fired at Israel. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 23 June 2025
Adverb
In Oklahoma, people braced for more rain after a deluge turned deadly earlier in the weekend. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025 However, Porziņģis' size and long-range shooting ability are the skeleton key that makes Boston's 5-out offense so deadly. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
  • But after autopsy results from the last inmate killed by that method showed that the bullets from the three volunteers nearly missed his heart, Stanko chose lethal injection.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
  • Now 20 years later, Stanko is set to be executed by lethal injection in South Carolina on Friday, June 13, in what will be the nation's 23rd execution of the year and the fourth this week alone.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • The difference, however, was in the sheer volume of players who left on a temporary basis.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • Nevertheless, the analysts flagged the sheer volume and tone of the content as a genuine officer safety concern.
    Dell Cameron, Wired News, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Those missiles were pointed at Israel, which lived in mortal fear of them.
    Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
  • In Game 3, Ekblad made McDavid look mortal by sending him to the ice with a textbook body check delivered shoulder to shoulder.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 June 2025
Adverb
  • The entire bet was on a big wing shot creator who was extremely young.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Humor is an extremely useful and common coping strategy that can help some process such a heavy and traumatic event, according to Marni Amsellem, a licensed psychologist.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the mid-Atlantic recently saw its first fatal case of Heartland Virus.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 23 June 2025
  • The United States has struck a crippling, but not fatal blow at Iran’s nuclear weapons aspirations.
    Brett Schaefer, National Review, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump mulled joining the Israeli strikes over the past four days and called for Iran’s unconditional surrender.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • Because the show really is about friendship, unconditional friendship between these four and then five girls.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The driver was ejected during the crash and was pronounced dead, state police said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
  • Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced the man dead at the scene.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Adverb
  • Both Marlins righties are incredibly talented and expected to be available at the trade deadline.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
  • The film obviously has some major horror elements with the infected charging about, but also some tender moments with the family and then an incredibly emotional scene towards the end of the film.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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