variants
also hari-kari
as in suicide
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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
When the soldiers, instead of rising up, jeered at him, Mishima killed himself in the classic samurai fashion: performing hara-kiri, or seppuku (as the Japanese more commonly call it), by plunging a sword into his abdomen before a uniformed disciple sliced his head off.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 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
Ruth La Ferla, New York Times, 18 May 2025
When the soldiers, instead of rising up, jeered at him, Mishima killed himself in the classic samurai fashion: performing hara-kiri, or seppuku (as the Japanese more commonly call it), by plunging a sword into his abdomen before a uniformed disciple sliced his head off.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 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
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Three people were killed in a murder-suicide shooting near a middle school in Illinois on Tuesday.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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McDonald, portrayed as the main attacker, was convicted of murder, but later released because of health issues.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In February 2025, the driver pleaded guilty to negligent vehicular homicide and drugged driving with a minor passenger – and now faces up to 10 years behind bars.—
Andrew Yockey,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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Anyone with information regarding the man’s death can contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Panthers fire employee over social media post The Carolina Panthers' communications coordinator was reportedly fired for Instagram posts apparently referencing Kirk's slaying.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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Two other people were detained by authorities in connection with Kirk's slaying on Wednesday but were later released without being charged.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The initial charge of first-degree murder has been reduced to assisting self-murder/manslaughter.—
Frank Fernandez,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2023
Noun
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The sheriff's office previously said officials have no reason to believe that foul play was involved.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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No foul play is suspected in connection with the teen’s death.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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