hara-kiri

variants also hari-kari

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 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
  • The original wording suggesting that Soliman faced murder charges in Iraq had been included in the government’s successful argument for keeping him in custody.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • An argument over a wristwatch led to the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Dallas mother at Malibu Jack’s amusement park in North Richland Hills, according to new details of the murder investigation released on Tuesday.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson’s dishonesty doesn’t even take into consideration the carnage from the homicides of yesteryear in the Windy City.
    Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He was convicted in October 2022 on six counts first-degree intentional homicide, 61 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, six counts of hit and run involving death and two counts of bail jumping, all felonies, plus one count of misdemeanor battery.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dexter rushes Harrison out of the Prater compound and proceeds to prep Prater for his slaying.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
  • One of them recorded the slaying on video, according to the local sheriff – a brutal and confusing fact for Lindsey.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The initial charge of first-degree murder has been reduced to assisting self-murder/manslaughter.
    Frank Fernandez, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2023
Noun
  • The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said foul play is not suspected, but the investigation remains ongoing, writes Nour Rahal.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Despite clear signs of foul play, the medical examiner does not classify it as a homicide.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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