1
as in headache
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work
weeding out that overgrown garden is going to be a killer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murderer
a person who kills another person
gunned down by hired killers
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
killer viruses that claimed millions of lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of killer
Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 7 Nov. 2025
But her killer remains unknown.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Minnesota’s penalty killers, who were worst, statistically, in the NHL just a few games ago, have now negated the last seven opponent power plays.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Episode 2 begins with the immediate fallout of Joe's death; Zoë suspects foul play and vows to hunt down his killer.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
Noun
Most people with high blood pressure don’t feel any different, which is why it’s called the silent killer.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 7 Nov. 2025
But her killer remains unknown.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Minnesota’s penalty killers, who were worst, statistically, in the NHL just a few games ago, have now negated the last seven opponent power plays.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Episode 2 begins with the immediate fallout of Joe's death; Zoë suspects foul play and vows to hunt down his killer.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, this theory was later debunked when Edgar Patino, a married man who had impregnated Touma, was found to be her murderer, according to authorities.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Marissa, who doesn't want to live happily ever after with a kidnapper, liar, and murderer, sure does.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The blackout slashed internet access to a fraction of normal levels on the 13th day of the protests as rights groups, including Amensty International, accused the regime of using lethal force against protesters.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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An 11-week-old baby died in 2024 in Lakewood because a bottle of baby formula fed to him was contaminated with lethal amounts of methamphetamine.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But again, as of late, Jalen has been doing a great job of making plays for us.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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The TikTok guy will even teach you how to use the tools required for the job.—
Nolan Finley The Detroit News,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Though detectives conclude that assassin cult members Ash (Jon Pointing) and Dee Dee (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) were the ones who killed Aaron, Paige revealed that the real killer was Ingrid.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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Maduro is being held in the same federal jail in Brooklyn as accused assassin Luigi Mangione.—
Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Burbank Police Department also shared a security camera video from the deadly shootout.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Depending on where in the country your family lives, winter can be a challenging time for kids who are cooped up inside amid the chillier weather.—
Mia Taylor,
Parents,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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