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 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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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
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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
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killing
Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
In the days following the shooting, some prominent Democrats have denounced the killing of Kirk but also criticized his political stances.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
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
Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The indie venues [struggling] thing is killing me.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Adjective
Still, ending the war always required that Hamas agree to a deal—perhaps an ugly one, certainly an imperfect one, but one that would bring a stop to the killing.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
In the days following the shooting, some prominent Democrats have denounced the killing of Kirk but also criticized his political stances.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Someone appears to have gone on a killing spree backstage, at a wrestling match.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The indie venues [struggling] thing is killing me.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killing
Adjective
-
His writing is lavishly detailed and sharply intelligent, nuanced and lyrical but also funny and sometimes surreal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The dudes-rock montage that followed the execution sketch had some genuinely funny bits.—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The mother of five admitted that being away from her family for long periods of time was challenging, but the sacrifice was necessary for Jordan’s athletic development.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The second, more challenging phase — aimed at dismantling Hamas and deciding Gaza’s future leadership — has yet to be negotiated.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The former screen siren was fined nearly $25,000 in 2008 after being convicted of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying her country.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Block destruction is one of Minter’s defensive pillars, and the Chargers have not been destroying blocks on some of these explosive runs.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But dismissing the rise in antisemitism as mere policing of speech about Israel is disingenuous and dangerous.—
Dafna Michaelson Jenet,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Less than four months later, though, a California judge stopped her in her tracks, dismissing her entire complaint on a technicality.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Right now, most Nampa workers are deleting their prompts, and Schierman said that’s fully legal.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Some companies have strategically deployed offensive tactics and obtained immediate results including short-sellers deleting a report and/or issuing a retraction.—
Tim Reynolds,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like the rest of the staff, Darwent is wearing a Newcastle tracksuit rather than a suit and tie.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And the combination of four-wheel drive and Michelin Cup 2 R tires delivers so much traction (on dry asphalt, at least) that the car seems to be wearing running spikes.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Strong, random gusts of wind caught out plenty, suddenly changing grip levels and even braking points and littering the track with leaves and branches.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
-
During 600 miles of testing, vehicles with the CCM software endured 85% fewer hard-braking incidents and spent 70% less time stopped in traffic.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The set includes four dinner plates that are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup and microwave safe for reheating all those leftovers.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Donahue contends the exemptions created in the bill are going to leave towns, cities and the state on the hook for an expensive cleanup.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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