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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killer
Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Apr. 2026
The killer was radicalized online and moved to New Zealand in 2017 with a plan to commit a mass shooting.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Using vinegar as a weed killer works best on newer plants.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Timing is one of the quieter killers.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
Noun
More recently, yet another alleged killer in Florida is said to have asked ChatGPT for help getting rid of bodies.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Apr. 2026
The killer was radicalized online and moved to New Zealand in 2017 with a plan to commit a mass shooting.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Using vinegar as a weed killer works best on newer plants.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
Timing is one of the quieter killers.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer
Noun
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Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Some people dealing with the infection, called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), can have headaches, dizziness, chills and stomach problems.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The comedy is instead more deadpan, with Rhys playing the flustered straight man against a (sometimes literal) murderer’s row of ensemble members and guest stars.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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And though the local history museum is nothing but artifacts of atrocities (old newspaper report of cannibalism, a murderer’s mask), only Wyck (Stephen Root, great as always) sees anything paranormal in it, and he’s generally written off as a drunk.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Little in the past acknowledged his preference for lethal injection between the two methods, sharing concerns over the impacts on corrections officials from participating in a firing squad execution.—
Kevin Fixler
April 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But as the data shows, violence is largely concentrated among a small number of individuals and increasingly smaller, yet no less violent and lethal, groups of street gangs and crews.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Combining all of this in one material has been difficult because thermal control and signal control rely on very different properties.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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Despite the removal of material, the architecture can result in a busy design and potentially make reading the time difficult.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Her hair, which is long, dark, and curly, had recently been treated to a bathroom Manic Panic job, and the front strands were dyed a light peach.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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However, Andy quickly learns that the job comes with a lot more strings attached than fun perks — including navigating her working relationship with first assistant Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt) and mentor Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci).—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Noun
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But now, Williams is facing a felony charge after participating in senior assassin, a popular tag-style game where teens hunt down their opponents with Nerf and water guns.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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That’s not to say that a background check would have flagged Allen as a potential presidential assassin.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hantavirus is more common in Asia and Europe, where the strains that circulate are less deadly, with a case fatality rate that ranges from less than 1% to 15%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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Germany has been rocked by a string of deadly car ramming attacks in recent years.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Last year, Blackstone President and COO Jon Gray also told new analysts that working hard and being collaborative are essential skills for success in today’s challenging job market.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These Yiddish phrases have gotten me through many challenging situations.—
Gilda Dangot-Simpkin,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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