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

Or the time a serial killer, who was actually Marlena under hypnosis, seemed to kill several beloved characters. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Although the plot of the film is fictional, the character of Leatherface was inspired by the American grave robber and serial killer Ed Gein. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026 Prosecutors questioned law enforcement officers about the chaotic moments after Kirk, 31, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in September 2025, and the efforts to collect evidence and track down his killer. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026 Homicide investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting and identify the killer. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for killer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer

Noun

Puppies getting their first grooming experience, large breeds that are difficult to transport and dogs in multi-pet households where coordinating salon logistics is a headache all stand to gain as well.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Designed for home gardeners who want results without the hassle – no gas, no fumes, and no maintenance headaches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

This psychological thriller stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia struggling to track down his wife’s murderer using a system of tattoos and notes.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The voice cast is a murderer's row of famous Australians, including Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, and Nick Cave.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Definition of murderer

Adjective

The most common type is lethal in about half of patients, and death is almost instantaneous.

— Veronique Greenwood, Time, 13 July 2026
Tewalt previously cautioned state lawmakers that transitioning from lethal injection to a firing squad as Idaho’s preferred method would result in even more lawsuits.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Definition of lethal

Noun

Last year’s grants paid for things like job skills training aimed at retaining nonprofit employees, specialized accounting services and a marketing program for thrift stores.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
The Dream, however, snapped back to finish the job and put themselves back in the win column for the first time since June 22.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of job

Noun

Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Julie has returned her old ways as an assassin, whilst navigating an equally perilous dating scene, while Edward’s honeymoon with Kayla (Shalom Brune-Franklin) doesn’t go quite as planned.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of assassin

Adjective

When the Guadalupe River surged through Texas Hill Country last summer, Elida Sierra Lutz and her three children were swept into the deadly flooding like debris in the current.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Written and directed by YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film, made for $750,000, tells a twisted tale of love with deadly consequences.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

These renovations have made Bliss Matcha & Beyond’s move less challenging, according to Gorski.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Ahead of a challenging midterm election, Republicans have seized an opportunity to castigate their opponents as extremists after democratic socialists won recent Democratic congressional primaries in New York and Colorado.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026