1
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
the doctors were alarmed about the outbreak of the deadly new virus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the deadly tedium of waiting for the fog to lift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mortal
of, relating to, or suggestive of death
a deadly pallor spread across her face as the tragic news gradually sank in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
I'm deadly serious about making an offer on the house
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 deadly
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
The flood happened early morning on July 4, when heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise at a deadly speed.
—Emma George-Griffin, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Jack’s suits were deadly serious; beyond seeing him safely through the social perils of his Princeton education, the clothes carried him into the most rarefied echelons of American and British society.
—Cree Lefavour, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Adjective
Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
The flood happened early morning on July 4, when heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise at a deadly speed.
—Emma George-Griffin, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
Adverb
Air India last suffered a crash this deadly in 2010, when 158 people were killed after one of its jets overshot a runway in southern India.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Jack’s suits were deadly serious; beyond seeing him safely through the social perils of his Princeton education, the clothes carried him into the most rarefied echelons of American and British society.
—Cree Lefavour, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
-
Police said less lethal munitions were deployed by federal authorities.—
Jenna Sundel
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
Their bites deliver one of the most lethal types of venom in North America.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some may prove useful in the long run and others illusory, but for now they are statistically swamped by the sheer amount of renewable power coming online.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
-
The sheer variety of equipment, the pace of change and rising customer demands call for something better: a knowledge capture process that’s baked into the daily workflow.—
Thomas Cottereau,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
But for all his all-time feats, Kershaw’s fastball has aged in mortal fashion, sitting at about 89 mph for two years now and 90-91 mph in a few years before.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
Populated by roaming blond sausage dogs, ghosts, and several complex mortal humans, Julius Julius satirizes the world of advertising via an ancient company known as Julius Julius, narrated by three different employees in three different eras.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
Since its inception, one of the big selling points of the Chromatic has been its extremely durable sapphire display, and interestingly enough, this restock arrives with an additional, cheaper screen option: Gorilla Glass.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Moreover, the 33 year old state Assemblyman was carried to victory by an extremely diverse coalition, winning Asian voters (+15), Hispanic voters (+6), and White voters (+5) according to an analysis by the New York Times.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Priya allegedly injected her business partner with a fatal overdose of sedatives, Joseph said.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
-
The case goes to trial as the Chicago Police Department is still mourning and grappling with the fatal shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera by a fellow police officer on June 5, the first CPD officer to die of friendly fire in nearly 40 years.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nonetheless, my hopeful response to my own question is that the transformed form of nature can also be the subject of humanity’s unconditional love.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
-
The unconditional love a therapy dog provides when visiting those battling an illness can be that source of hope.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Jackson reportedly last checked in with dispatch on June 7 and was eventually found dead by rangers eight days later on June 15 in a camping tent on the Duck Hole trail, which is located in the Adirondack High Peaks, according to the Adirondack Explorer.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
Since the assassination attempt on Trump that left the 50-year-old father dead, the Comperatore family has grappled with lingering and unanswered questions about what led to Comperatore’s death that day.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
This particular trick works incredibly well for window and standing air conditioners, since their output is already focused in a single area of the home.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
-
Sour Strawberry Candy Belts These sour straws are almost too chewy, but incredibly satisfying.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share