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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
In Gaza, the anniversary marks the start of a third year of the deadliest and most destructive war the enclave has been subject to. Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025 Traditionally, drug trafficking has been a law enforcement issue, and the use of deadly force needs legal justification that the Pentagon hasn't publicly provided, Lepper said. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The same tests found below-average levels of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid blamed for overdoses around the country. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025 And while much of this might sound deadly serious, Roach’s film is frequently very funny. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
  • Tennessee law holds that those who committed crimes before 1999 can choose between being put to death by lethal injection or the electric chair.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And of course 100% lethal to the child.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sheer expanse of places to see in Japan is astounding.
    Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination.
    Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Khalid was born mortal, but was given an immortal life when his father placed his soul into the body of Hunbish, a child that the Goryeo girl once wished to save.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Bautista is playing The Kurgen, the movie’s top villain, while Gillan is MacLeod’s Scottish and very mortal wife.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Some genres may be extremely violent and gory, so parents may want to consider supervising their children's viewing of films or avoid them altogether.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Grain bins and silos can be extremely deadly if people get trapped inside.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • There were 55 students on the school bus when the fatal crash occurred, none of whom were injured, police said.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While a January YouGov pollsuggests Biden’s unconditional support for Israel significantly affected Democratic voter turnout, Harris is largely dismissive of Gaza.
    Book Marks September 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Trump could have faced up to four years in prison, but a judge issued an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction in place but sparing him any penalty or fine.
    Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tom is torn between loyalty to his dead wife and love for the estranged son who killed her.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The rush would close in, the play would appear dead — and the five-star recruit and Tennessee transfer would evaporate from the pocket.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Clarissa has an incredibly high standard, which is just so amazing.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
  • But that means that the world around Indy has to be incredibly precise.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

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