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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the deadly tedium of waiting for the fog to lift
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadly
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Steps toward deployment of the international force could help to maintain momentum as tensions continue with deadly Israeli strikes against what the army has said were threats to its forces.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
In 2010, an attempt by Israel to stop another flotilla turned deadly after navy commandos boarded one boat, killing at least nine passengers and wounding 30 more.
—New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Adjective
In January, there was a deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 67 people.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Steps toward deployment of the international force could help to maintain momentum as tensions continue with deadly Israeli strikes against what the army has said were threats to its forces.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
The Milwaukee Brewers are deadly serious about their baseball this season.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
In 2010, an attempt by Israel to stop another flotilla turned deadly after navy commandos boarded one boat, killing at least nine passengers and wounding 30 more.
—New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
-
Wuornos, who was found guilty of six murders and received six death sentences, was executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002, after a decade on death row.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Wuornos was executed by lethal injection in October 2002, according to a New York Times obituary.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But seemingly by sheer willpower, Meredith holds out her hand, which sends the liquid back in the opposite direction toward Britani.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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The actress dares to bare her briefs in this Ulla Johnson set featuring a shockingly sheer skirt teamed with a ombré effect sequin top.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
As both Hernández and Freeman asserted, Ohtani has quite the gap between him and a mortal man, but there are four more wins the Dodgers need to earn before the storybook season can be complete.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Dicker’s fifth and final field goal was straight and true despite a high snap on the winning kick against the Dolphins, a mortal lock if ever there was one.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Sharon is extremely annoying, but my heart does break for her a tiny bit here.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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Satchel Crossbody This effortlessly chic crossbody bag will add an elegant flair to any daytime look while also being extremely functional.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The show centers on Alex (Jason Clarke) and his wife, Maggie Murdaugh (Patricia Arquette), as their privileged world spirals following a fatal 2019 boating accident involving their son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold), that leads to more secrets emerging.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram, the princess thanked her mom for her unconditional support.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Your love for the city, your team, and its players is unconditional.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Little Rock Police Department is investigating a shooting Sunday morning that left one person dead and another injured, the agency announced in a social media post.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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Two suspects were arrested and a third was dead, Mexico’s security ministry said on Saturday.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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Disney is incredibly unlikely to ever admit that politics were a factor in Doctor Who‘s cancellation, but Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension was revealing of the company’s desire to minimize MAGA wrath.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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There’s always someone around the corner who’s eager to please you, but being so recognizable can become incredibly isolating as well.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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