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deadly

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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
  • Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran with PTSD, received a lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
  • Advertisement Build a Check-In Culture Loneliness can be lethal during a heatwave.
    Kathy Baughman McLeod, Time, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Felipe Cardenas: Due to sheer numbers and commitment, Boca’s ultras and travelling band of die-hard fans lit up the tournament.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Her Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress was a mermaid-style lace gown with sheer long sleeves and a high neckline.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Emily Trainham , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 27 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
  • O'Keefe was pronounced dead at a local hospital two hours later, with his cause of death later ruled blunt impact injuries to the head and hypothermia.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 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
  • Victor is incredibly easy to talk to, and on a wide array of subjects, so chatting about Olga soon led to talking about their own cat (Clyde) and this writer’s pair of tuxedos (Felix and Oscar) and their various adventures with in-house vermin (mostly bad).
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 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 1 Jul. 2025.

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