1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cleanup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in destroying
to deprive of life
during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
the Senate killed the bill by a single vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deleting
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike up the mountain just about killed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in braking
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 killing
New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025
The Context As one of his first actions after returning to office in January, President Trump pardoned two Washington, D.C. police officers convicted in the 2020 killing of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Adjective
The killing spree began in the cottage community of Portapique where Mr. Wortman owned several properties.
—New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
Noun
Listen to this article An Osceola County man was arrested Tuesday in the April ambush and killing of a teenager, a fatal altercation that deputies said started with an argument, via text, about a girl.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025
The Context As one of his first actions after returning to office in January, President Trump pardoned two Washington, D.C. police officers convicted in the 2020 killing of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killing
Adjective
-
His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.—
Lily Meyer,
The Dial,
20 May 2025
-
That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
However, this challenging situation also presents an opportunity for businesses.—
Kendra Davenport,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The new bill, advocates said, is also expected to be particularly challenging for Native Americans who rely on tribal cards for identification ‒ which typically don't include place of birth, as the new law requires.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Those with questions about the overflow and cleanup efforts can reach the Bureau of Utilities at 410-313-4900.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
-
There will be volunteer training at 11 a.m., prep for lunch at 12 p.m., lunch from 1-3 p.m. and cleanup from 3-4 p.m. Those interested can register here: https://dcgary.org/2025-day-service. Marquette Park United Methodist Church: 215 N Grand Blvd — All are welcome to worship at 11:15 a.m.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The former Minneapolis police officer is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year state sentence for the second-degree unintentional murder of 46-year-old George Floyd.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Most importantly, the proposal provides that, when discovery items are turned over belatedly, judges can impose consequences that stop short of dismissing the whole case, if a lesser remedy can ensure fairness to the defendant.—
Jane Manning,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Just a few days later, the Israeli government effectively began the process of dismissing Gali Baharav-Miara, Israel’s attorney general.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Google Sends Non-Apology Email To Users Some Google Maps users received a March 21 email from Google which, while still not actually apologizing for deleting their data, did go some way to explain what was happening and what could be done to restore the lost timelines.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
So military service members and civilians have evaluated social media posts by hand, working late into the night and on weekends to pore over their unit's social media pages, cataloging and deleting references going back years.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And there's an 80-lux LED headlight plus braking tail-light.—
Paul Ridden,
New Atlas,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Over 300,000 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks have been recalled this week over a braking system defect.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killing. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share