KILLER Synonyms: 201 Similar and Opposite Words

killer 1 of 2

noun

ˈki-lər

Definition of killer

as in headache

a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work weeding out that overgrown garden is going to be a killer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in murderer

a person who kills another person gunned down by hired killers

Synonyms & Similar Words

killer

2 of 2

adjective

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death killer viruses that claimed millions of lives

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as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort a killer exercise program guaranteed to whip you into shape

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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 killer

Noun

The series produced by Mia Oikanen for Warner Bros Int’l Television Production Finland tells of a shy theater prop master who accidentally becomes a killer while trying to please everyone around her, especially her narcissistic mom. — Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Watching a cheesy sitcom opening turn into a bloody field day for a time-traveling serial killer or unedited footage of a bear turn into a pharmaceutical nightmare is the ultimate expression of that unapologetic commitment to keeping us on our toes. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026 The series starred Emma Roberts as Chanel #1, Grande as Chanel #2, Billie Lourd as Chanel #3, Abigail Breslin as Chanel #5 and Lea Michele, a group of Kappa Kappa Tau sorority sisters targeted by a killer known as the Red Devil. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 While donning the iconic blue sweater for Crystal Lake, Linda Cardellini was ready to go full Pamela Voorhees with her killer 1970s transformation. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for killer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer

Noun

For anyone living in a household where someone snores, wakes up with headaches or drags through the day, Jack Black’s candid podcast conversation about his CPAP machine offers a familiar reference point.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
People infected with typhus typically develop symptoms within one to two weeks, which may include a fever, headache, rash and body aches.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Some of Zahnd’s career highlights include the 2022 conviction of Grayden Denham, the first quadruple murderer in the county’s history, and the 2020 murder conviction of Letti Strait for the shooting death of Charles Cammisano, her ex-husband.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
An online swarm of sleuths and influencers has been dissecting every detail of the case, developing theories that portray him as uncaring, unfaithful and even the murderer of his children.

— Ross Douthat, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of murderer

Adjective

The issue roiled French politics for years before lawmakers recently approved legislation allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
In 2026, Tokyo lifted its decades-long ban on exporting lethal arms and agreed to build three frigates for Australia and to jointly produce eight more.

— David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of lethal

Adjective

Walk up to the pastry case and prepare to make some difficult decisions.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Fish can be hard to find and harder to catch this time of year, but American anglers have adapted to difficult fishing conditions.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficult

Noun

If your job or business uses a bill counter continuously and all day, triple-check that it’s rated for continuous and constant use.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Hiring remains well below the 166,000 monthly jobs created, on average, in 2023 and 2024, and the 491,000 a month recorded during the 2021-2022 hiring boom that followed COVID-19 lockdowns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

Still, despite the typical procedural formula with cases tied to gun smugglers, cartel assassins and kidnappings, the show remains topical enough to keep viewers engaged.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Ali’s mournful assassin is trying to stay one step ahead of his enemies and, likewise, the movie fights like hell to elude conventionality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of assassin

Adjective

For this argument Thomasine was jailed—stuffed into a damp, stinking, deadly stone cell crawling with rats and lice—to force her to change her beliefs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Bands of heavy rain have been moving onshore from Delaware up to Massachusetts on Sunday amid a nor'easter that has turned deadly.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026