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
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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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.
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Recent Examples of killing
Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020
Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Advertisement The Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health utilized satellite images to corroborate the scene, as well as a previously unreported potential mass killing at an RSF detention site at the former Children’s Hospital.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Nine people remain missing after a UPS plane departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday crashed in a ball of flames, killing at least 12 people.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Adjective
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020
Noun
Impunity for the killing of journalists remains rampant around the world, from Somalia to Pakistan to Haiti.
—Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Advertisement The Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health utilized satellite images to corroborate the scene, as well as a previously unreported potential mass killing at an RSF detention site at the former Children’s Hospital.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
As Rob counted the money, his back turned, Peter grabbed a lamp and struck him, killing him instantly.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Nine people remain missing after a UPS plane departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday crashed in a ball of flames, killing at least 12 people.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killing
Adjective
-
Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With launch costs extremely high, sending a large platform to orbit is challenging.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Their league schedule in the Southland Conference includes a challenging February road stretch through Texas, and non-conference begins with a high-profile matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
So naturally, his manager just dropped him into the lineup, in the cleanup spot, in Game 1 of the World Series.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Bichette is hitting in the cleanup spot, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Marty works his connections to learn that Frank won’t be charged for Arthur’s murder — the official verdict is that accidents happen when confused old men own guns.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
For example, Swan Lake, created with Jacki Apple, combines a film noir murder trope with the glitzy alluring language of high-end advertising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And candidates who stoked fear in voters — with the threat of towering multi-family complexes destroying their communities or costly local infrastructure projects driving up taxes — lost by clear margins.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Derek Lopez, 27, was fired from his role at the university after he was caught on camera destroying a Turning Point display.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Venezuelans got accustomed to dismissing it all as noise, just a pretext the dictatorship employed to stamp out civil rights.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Despite mounting criticism and public skepticism, Cheney remained a vocal defender of the war, dismissing opposition as politically motivated.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
What Happens Next Despite deleting the videos on her TikTok, Grubbs continues to share updates on her Snapchat.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In February 2025, umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by MLB for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who bet on baseball games and for intentionally deleting electronic messages pertinent to the league’s investigation.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Two men sat on either side of her, one in a hat with WHO RESCUED WHO stitched across it and the other wearing a pearl-button shirt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Madden brought an '80s rocker vibe to show, wearing a skull on his belt and a bandana on his head.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killing. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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