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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At the time of Garrison’s murder, twenty-eight people had already been charged.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Detectives booked Avon Owens, 18, and another unidentified 18-year-old for murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a murder on April 10, 2026.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That compares to four homicides at this point last year.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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Investigators say they were struck by a driver who now faces multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.—
Jim McHugh,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Heuermann, 62, is expected to admit to the 1996 slaying of 34-year-old mother of two Karen Vergata, whose remains were found in April 1996, with additional remains found in April 2011, Newsday reported Tuesday.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
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There's no evidence that Nigah and Jimenez knew each other before the alleged slaying, Nasarenko said.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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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Officials said no foul play is suspected.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Authorities said in a news release Monday morning that the death is believed to be due to medical complications, and no foul play was suspected.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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