1
as in deadly
of, relating to, or suggestive of death
his deathly pallor suggested that any attempt to find a pulse would be futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
smallpox is one deathly disease that medical science has been able to conquer
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 deathly
Henry once again takes a deathly blow to his reputation, but escapes real consequences, now back living a cozy life as a lord.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Despite its deathly reputation, Mount Baldy is oftentimes neither a particularly precarious mountain nor an especially treacherous trail.
—
Outside,
8 Jan. 2026
Despite the deathly dangers of fentanyl contamination, hard drug use has been enjoying record increases in Hollywood and beyond not seen since the hard-partying ’80s.
—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
The deathly avalanche between Camp 2 and Camp 3 always scared me.
—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
10 Apr. 2025
Californians must rise and reclaim our Golden State from the deathly and devastating grip of endless bureaucratic cancer.
—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
For all of those thousands of collegiate Olympians past and present, the roar of the football crowd will be drowned out by the deathly silence of their shuttered programs.
—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 July 2024
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Despite its deathly reputation, Mount Baldy is oftentimes neither a particularly precarious mountain nor an especially treacherous trail.
—
Outside,
8 Jan. 2026
Despite the deathly dangers of fentanyl contamination, hard drug use has been enjoying record increases in Hollywood and beyond not seen since the hard-partying ’80s.
—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
The deathly avalanche between Camp 2 and Camp 3 always scared me.
—
Ben Ayers,
Outside Online,
10 Apr. 2025
Californians must rise and reclaim our Golden State from the deathly and devastating grip of endless bureaucratic cancer.
—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
For all of those thousands of collegiate Olympians past and present, the roar of the football crowd will be drowned out by the deathly silence of their shuttered programs.
—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deathly
Adjective
-
At the same time, vaccination rates have declined, worrying experts that more people could become vulnerable to this potentially deadly but preventable infection.
-
The suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of 22-year-old Nasir Majied on Friday, June 5.
Adjective
-
The weather service also warns not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
-
At worst, the consequences can be lethal for mothers or babies.
Adjective
-
Antinous is the principal mortal antagonist in Homer’s Odyssey.
-
In 2026, with global biodiversity in mortal danger, the Galápagos aren’t just a cradle of incredible variation.
Adjective
-
The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
-
The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators.
Adjective
-
There were no signs of rodents at any businesses during this inspection period, but dead roaches were found at Conservatory at Plano, at 6401 Ohio Drive.
-
She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Cite this Entry
“Deathly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deathly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
