variants
also hari-kari
as in suicide
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Recent Examples of hara-kiri
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
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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The 18-year-old, who was released from custody last month after posting a $250,000 bond, is charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, 17, on April 2 at a track meet in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Ultimately, they were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Police are investigating the woman’s death as a homicide, and no suspect information has been released.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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The advisory, which was published on May 7, says that petty crime, violent crime, armed robbery, and homicide are on the rise in Cuba.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2025
Noun
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California Serial cat killer suspect arrested, potentially linked to a dozen-plus slayings, authorities say April 23, 2025 Authorities allege that Acosta was also seen by a neighbor grabbing a cat and slamming it over his head April 3.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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Citywide, murders are down 26%, with 104 slayings so far this year compared to 140 by this time last year.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Noun
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But on Wednesday, a grand jury indicted her on the charge of assisting self-murder/manslaughter, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.—
Frank Fernandez,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2023
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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 idea that the birds are dropping dead from foul play doesn’t sit right with some residents.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 May 2025
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Related Stories Viral Eaglets Growing Up on Live Cam Die After Storm Blows Nest Away Illinois Authorities Suspect Avian Flu Outbreak Killed 200 Birds However, according to ABC News, officials have hinted at foul play after releasing the necropsy results of two deceased birds.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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