hara-kiri

variants also hari-kari
Definition of hara-kirinext

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 hara-kiri He was struck by the show’s exploration of hara-kiri, the Japanese ritual suicide. Ruth La Ferla, New York Times, 18 May 2025 The film depicts the historical ‘Honno-ji Incident’ from 1582, when a key vassal of Oda Nobunaga rose in revolt and caused his master to commit hara-kiri in Kyoto. Mark Schilling, Variety, 17 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hara-kiri
Noun
  • Their son Nick, 32, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing the filmmaker and his wife to death.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Police had not seen him again until he and Gilson were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head in what law enforcement officials believe was a murder-suicide.
    Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The series follows trainee Detective Eva Bennett, played by Dynevor, who returns to Manchester and joins a new homicide investigation run by her fearsome estranged mother – the legendary Detective Chief Inspector Lois Mercer, played by Morton.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • After deliberating for just over an hour, the all-male, white, Protestant jury unanimously decided that 32-year-old spinster Borden didn’t commit a brazen daytime double homicide.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The case had entered a stunning new phase as Bryan Kohberger—the man who pleaded guilty and was convicted of the mass slaying last July, avoiding a high-profile murder trial and the death penalty as part of his plea deal—reversed course.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
  • The suspect sought in a deadly 2015 south Sacramento shooting has been captured by sheriff’s detectives and is facing murder and firearms charges in the slaying.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • She is charged with first-degree murder and assisting self-murder, which in Florida is treated like a manslaughter offense.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
  • She has been charged with first-degree murder and assisting self-murder, a second-degree felony in Florida punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • As of publication, Calgary Police do not suspect foul play in Parker’s death, but the investigation remains ongoing.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • Investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion, but say there is no indication that foul play was involved.
    Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 30 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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